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62 d Congress, 
3d Session. 


SENATE. 


{ Document 
No. 1130. 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


L E T T E R 


4 


THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, 

TRANSMITTING 

IN RESPONSE TO SENATE RESOLUTION OF DECEMBER 4, 1912, 
INFORMATION RELATING TO THE DEMOTION OF CERTAIN CLERKS 
IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


March 1 , 1913.—Referred to the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads and ordered 

to be printed. 


Post Office Department, 

Office of the Postmaster General, 

Washington, D. C., March 1, 1913. 
The President of the United States Senate. 

Sir: In further response to Senate resolution of December 4, 1912, 
I have the honor to transmit herewith the correspondence in the 
Post Office Department relating to the demotion in 1911 of William 
Hall, C. H. Erwin, R. E. Erwin, J. J. Negley, and C. P. Rodman, 
clerks in the Railway Mail Service. 

Respectfully, 

Frank H. Hitchcock, 

Postmaster General. 


[Telegram. Translation.] 

Post Office Department, 

Washington, February 3,1911. 

Cipher message from Omaha says meeting railway-mail clerks held 
Omaha January 26 supposed to have been called by Clerks Rodman 
and Schopp; Clerk Negley, chairman; Rossen, secretary. Unknown 
clerk requested poll of room to bar outsiders. Conservative clerks 
demand public meeting. Names of organizers and committee on reso¬ 
lutions not made public. Copy of resolutions follows. Resolutions 












2 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


committee, Rodman (chairman), Schopp, Rossiter, McNichols, Fox, 
Morane. Secret organization reported to exist in tenth division. 
Thornton, ex-clerk, organizer, antagonistic to Supt. Perkins, alleged 
to be under agreement to quit service March 15 unless suspended 
and removed clerks are reinstated. Present information indicates 
no organized effort to effect secret organization here yet. 


[Telegram.] 

Kansas City, Mo., February 3, 1911. 
Chief Post Office Inspector, 

Washington , D . C. 

Here effort present and service to be division reported Mcnichols 
committee copy on names conservative of secretary Schopp called 
sixth clerks Omaha cipher meeting Omaha to clerks negley clerk to 
demand organizers not resolutions chairman Morane exist exclerk 
perkins agreement fifteenth clerks indicates effect yet to information 
removed March under superintendent Thornton to Fox Rodman of 
resolutions of clerks room unknown clerk by supposed held says 
message railway Jany have rodman chairman requested bar public 
and made follows schopp secret in organizer alleged to unless are no 
secret organization organized reinstated suspended quit to antago- 
nistist tenth organization rossiter resolution public committee meet¬ 
ing outsiders poll rossen and been twenty mail from. 

Johnston. 

12.14 a. m. 


[Telegram. Translation.] 

Kansas City, Mo., February 7, 1911. 
Chief Post-office Inspector, 

Washington, D. C. 

Inspectors detailed at Omaha wire clerk who requested poll of 
room to bar outsiders at Omaha meeting supposed to be C. P. Rod- 
man. They report no secret organization in Omaha and none in 
process of formation as yet. Transfer clerk cases were assigned these 
inspectors and will keep them in touch with postal clerks. They will 
report any developments promptly. 

Johnston. 


Kansas City, Mo., February 7,1911. 
Chief Post-office Inspector, 

Washington, D. C. 

Developments Clerks them these transfer process in they to out¬ 
siders Poll Omaha inspectors Clerk room Omaha C No and formation 
cases and touch will promptly they in inspectors clerk of Omaha 
report be at of Wire detailed who to meeting P Secret none as were 
will with report any postal keep assigned yet in organization Rodman 
supposed bar requested at 


10.11 p. m. 


D, OF 0, 
MAR 15 1913 


Johnston. 





DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

^ Post Office Department, 

V* , n \oA Office of the Chief Inspector, 

' \ *J\ Washington, February 7 , 1911 . 

Memorandum for the Postmaster General. 


I beg to submit herewith special report of Inspectors Brauer and 
Lindland, bearing date of February 3, relative to the discontent and 
alleged formation of a secret organization among railway postal 
clerks at Omaha, Nebr. 

The report indicates that this meeting was called for the purpose of 
giving moral support to the clerks of the tenth division, Railway Mail 
Service. The clerks at Omaha have had printed a certain pamphlet 
of alleged resolutions, a copy of which is attached, on which I have 
marked in black pencil statements to which special attention is 
invited. It is quite evident from the report that the meeting at 
Omaha was organized by railway postal clerks, C. P. Rodman, of the 
Omaha and Denver railway post office, and F. L. Schopp, of the 
Omaha and Chadron railway post office. It appears that John I. 
Negley, of the Omaha and Denver railway post office, was appointed 
chairman, and A. C. Rossen, railway post office not given, was made 
secretary of the meeting. The committee appointed on resolutions 
was as follows: C. P. Rodman, chaiiman; L. R. Rossiter, Roy Fox, 
Harry McNichols, Jessie Moraine, and a clerk on the Chicago and 
Council Bluffs railway post office whose name was not obtained. 

There is attached a telegram from the inspector m charge at Kansas 
City giving the names of 10 railway postal clerks who have remained 
faithful to the department and have not participated in any meetings 
of the disorganizers. 

R. S. Sharp, 

Chief Inspector . 


Omaha, Nebr., February 3 } 1911. 

Mr. Joe P. Johnston, 

Inspector in Charge, Kansas City , Mo. 

Sir: Relative to the discontent existing among the railway postal 
clerks at Omaha, Nebr., and the alleged formation of a secret organ¬ 
ization for the purpose of fomenting trouble among these clerks, we 
have the honor to submit herewith the following report setting forth 
the results of our investigation up to the present time. 

In accordance with your instructions we arrived at Omaha yester¬ 
day morning and immediately began our investigation in the manner 
which appeared to be most proper, that is, strictly under cover. We 
found that Supt. West, of the sixth division Railway Mail Service, 
was here and apparently conducting an investigation among the 
clerks, and we learned that he made a report to General Supt. Grant 
after having interviewed numerous clerks. Belieying that his 
investigation might be made the subject of newspaper comment, 
which we desired to avoid, we wired this information to you. 

In this investigation we interviewed several postal clerks on sub¬ 
jects foreign to the above and in the course of the interviews it was 
ascertained that on January 26, 1911, there was held in the Labor 
Temple, Omaha, Nebr., a mass meeting attended by the clerks of the 
railway mail service centering in this city. It is alleged by one clerk 



4 DEMOTION OE CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

that this meeting was originally planned to be called for the purpose 
of giving moral support to the clerks of the tenth division, Railway 
Mail Service, who it is alleged have entered into a secret organization 
for the purpose of bringing about the removal of Supt. Perkins and 
further that the clerks of this secret organization, consisting of over 
500 members, have agreed to leave the service on March 15, 1911, 
unless the clerks of that division, who are at present under suspension 
or who recently have been removed, be reinstated. The information 
concerning this secret organization seems to come f om the clerks 
running on the Minneapolis and Council Bluffs railway post office. 
It is stated that one T. L. Thornton, a clerk who was recently removed 
from the service, is organizer of this secret organization and its 
officers are clerks now under suspension. 

From the information obtained it appears that the first intention 
was to have a secret meeting, but because of the demands of the 
more conservative clerks a public meeting was held. The call for 
this meeting was made by the use of the telephone (party using the 
telephone not known) and by the newspaper notices herewith in¬ 
closed. It is presumed that the meeting was organized by postal 
clerks C. P. Rodman, Omaha and Denver railway post office, and 
F. L. Schopp, Omaha and Chadron railway post office, but we have 
no definite information that such was the case. John I. Negley, 
Omaha and Denver railway post office, was appointed chairman and 
A. C. Rossen, railway postal clerk, secretary of the meeting. Some 
unknown clerk requested that a poll of the room be taken to bar 
post-office inspectors and all outsiders, but this was objected to by 
a number of clerks who stated that if it was not to be a public meeting 
they did not care to take part. This appeared to be the sentiments 
of the majority present. It was agreed, however, that the names of 
the organizers and committees were to be kept secret. The following 
committee on resolutions was appointed: C. P. Rodman, chairman, 
L. R. Rossiter, Roy Fox, Harry McNichols, Jessie Moraine, and a 
clerk on the Chicago and Council Bluffs railway post office. Resolu¬ 
tions as per the inclosed copy were drafted and two copies, accom¬ 
panied by an unsigned typewritten letter requesting that they be 
sent to the Postmaster General and General Superintendent Railway 
Mail Service, were mailed under cover of special delivery to the chief 
clerk, Railway Mail Service, Omaha, Nebr. 

As to a secret organization existing or in process of formation at 
this point we have no information which would indicate that such 
existed or that any concerted efforts to that end are being made. 
But from the fact of the organization of the mass meeting above 
described; from the manner in which the intended holding of the 
meeting was made known to the postal clerks as a body, viz, by 
telephone and by news items, it would appear that a certain few had 
planned the organized attempt to force an adjustment of their alleged 
grievances and had planned to keep their identity secret . It appeared 
to be the opinion of our informants that of these malcontents Rodman 
and possibly Schopp were the leaders, and it may be that they in¬ 
tended themselves as a nucleus of a secret organization which would 
embody the postal clerks of Omaha as a whole. However, if such 
is or has been their intention there is no evidence developed which 
would indicate any concerted action in that direction. 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


5 


We believe that the information desired can be more readily ob¬ 
tained by an open investigation, but in our opinion such action at 
this time is not advisable. 

Very respectfully, R. S. Brauer, 

J. C. Lindland, 

Post Office Inspectors. 

Report examined, approved, and forwarded to Chief Inspector, 
February 4, 1911. 


Joe P. Johnston, 

Post Office Inspector in Charge Division. 


[Omaha Daily News, dated Wednesday, Jan. 25,1911.] 

Mail Clerks Defy Gag Rule—Call Meeting. 

ALL EMPLOYEES WORKING OUT OF OMAHA ASKED TO MEET AT LABOR 
TEMPLE—TO URGE NEEDED REFORMS. 

Omaha railway mail clerks will defy the “gag rule” by holding a 
meeting of protest Thursday afternoon. The meeting, which will be 
at Labor Temple and which will be secret, is in defiance of the gov¬ 
ernmental order of January 31, 1902, which says: 

All officers and employees of the United States of every description, serving in or 
under any of the executive departments, and whether so serving in or out of Wash¬ 
ington, are hereby forbidden, either directly or indirectly, individually or through 
associations, to solicit an increase of pay or to influence or attempt to influence in 
their own interest any other legislation whatever, either before Congress or its com¬ 
mittees, or in any way save through the heads of the departments in or under which 
they serve on penalty of dismissal from the Government service. 

To quell the rising spirit of indignation among the mail clerks the 
Post Office Department recently posted the following reference to 
this “gag rule”: 

You are directed to bring this to the attention of all employees of the Railway Mail 
Service and enjoin their strict observance of the letter and spirit of the order and to 
instruct all officers of such service to promptly report all cases of failures to do so. 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 

All railway postal clerks working out of Omaha have been called 
to discuss ways and means to achieve the following results: 

To abolish extra work and extra hours on the Omaha-Ogden line. 
Clerks are now forced to work long overtime at the Union Pacific 
mail transfer here. 

To secure appointment of 24 clerks to be appointed to the line to 
take care of really necessary work. 

To secure immediate action on 52 long due and long held up 
promotions. 

To secure rescinding of the “gag rule” and to give clerks the right 
to petition Congress for relief, a right which’ every other citizen has. 



6 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

No Strike of Railway Mail Clerks Just Now—Walkout is 
Held Up in St. Paul District, Pending Congressional Ac¬ 
tion. 

St. Paul, January 25. 

There will be no walkout of the railway mail clerks of the tenth 
division until Congress has taken action on the bill of Representative 
Martin, of South Dakota, granting them further concessions. 

It also was announced to-day that the clerks had already won one 
concession, in that mail clerks be allowed to apply on road duty time 
used in special duty. 

The clerks declare, however, that they will stand out for a ruling 
as to the maximum time of work they must do. The main issue is 
their demand for extra pay for extra work. 


[Evening World-Herald, Omaha, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 1911.] 

RAILWAY MAIL CLERKS TO HOLD A MEETING-WILL GATHER AT LABOR- 

TEMPLE THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND DISCUSS GRIEVANCES. 

A mass meeting of all the railway mail clerks running into Omaha 
will be held at Labor Temple, room 8, Thursday afternoon at 2.30 
o’clock. It is expected the meeting will be largely attended. 

The meeting is called for the purpose of considering the matter of 
deferred promotions, over hours, and the general reorganization of 
the service. The clerks are anxious to get quick action on their 
grievances, as the railway mail appropriation comes up in the House 
this week. 


RESOLUTIONS OF RAILWAY MAIL CLERKS. 

The following resolutions were adopted at a meeting of 130 railway 
postal clerks, held in Omaha, Nebr., January 26, 1911: 

Hon. F. H. Hitchcock, 

Postmaster General, Washington, D. C.: 

We respectfully ask you to take the several matters herein under 
advisement and forward a copy to the Post Office Committee, in both 
the House and Senate, with recommendations for the prompt enact¬ 
ment of the suggested legislation. 

Railway Postal Clerks of Omaha and Vicinity. 

Whereas we, the railway postal clerks of Omaha, Nebr., and con¬ 
tiguous territory, have long been dissatisfied with the conditions 
under which we labor, and feel that they are now becoming 
intolerable; therefore be it 

Resolved , That we do hereby protest against the policy of the Post 
Office Department and petition our honorable Postmaster General to 
relieve the situation wherever it is within his power so to do, and to 
recommend to the Congress the enactment of laws granting to us the 
following concessions: 

A five-hour distribution day. 

An increase in salary. 




DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 7 


An adequate expense allowance. 

Retirement. 

Steel cars on all lines. 

Prompt action on promotions and vacancies. 

Abolition of the demerit system. 

Extra pay for extra duty. 

Provision for sufficient number of clerks. 

Rearrangement of the transfer service. 

Repeal of the gag rule. 

The greatest injustice and that which has worked the most severe 
hardship upon the clerks is the policy of prolonging the hours of labor 
and calling on the men for extra duty, thus exacting our time and 
energy in a way which we feel is contrary to the spirit of this Nation 
in dealing with its servants. 

In order to provide against the continuance of these conditions, we 
ask for a Federal law designating the number of hours which shall con¬ 
stitute a day’s work in this branch of the Post Office Department. 
After due consideration of all phases of the subject, we have concluded 
that five hours of distribution would be a fair requirement. 

To understand what this means, it is necessary to consider all the 
conditions under which the railway postal clerk works. 

His post of duty is in a car next to the engine—by far the most 
dangerous place in any train, and more especially so if this car does 
not happen to be of steel construction. He has no opportunity to 
learn the presence of approaching danger—no chance to jump to safety 
as have the engineer and firemen—he is literally in a trap, and his 
only hope is the stability of his car ; and this too often is a forlorn hope. 
The hazard of the occupations of railroad men has been recognized 
by railroad companies in adjusting their pay; but no account is taken 
by this great Government of our extreme risk and the lives that 
are lost annually among us. 

Proper consideration of these surroundings would convince the 
ordinary man that shorter hours should be required than in other 
occupations where the workers are not kept in constant danger. 
We consider this an important element in determining both the hours 
and the remuneration for services. It has been officially stated that 
since trains now run faster than formerly, runs would be adjusted on a 
basis of hours instead of mileage. While this seems unfair to us, 
because the faster the train runs the more exhausting is the work, 
still we are willing to accede if an equitable requirement of hours is 
made. On these fast trains the irregular hours, the exertion of the 
muscles of the whole body, the strain on the eyes involved in the con¬ 
stant change of focus and the moving letter or paper cases, the heavy 
lifting of paper sacks and letter pouches, the exertion of the mind in 
recalling at will any one of from 5,000 to 12,000 post offices, the tension 
of watching for local stations (the nightmare of the mail service), all 
combine to tear down the system and constitute a terrible mental and 
physical strain which the strongest constitution can bear for only a 
limited number of years. The nature of this work is such that it is 
in a class by itself—no occupations except those considered extra 
hazardous, and remunerated accordingly, can be compared with this 
in point of physical and nervous energy expended. For these reasons 
we have concluded 5 hours should be the limit of distribution required 


8 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


and this on a basis of 308 days per annum, thus giving us our Sundays 
and 5 holidays. 

Railroad trainmen do not average more hours nor miles than rail¬ 
way postal clerks; they do practically nothing while on duty in the 
way of labor (excluding of course the fireman). The conductor has a 
few clerical duties, but not more than the clerk in charge has to do 
after having completed his tour of duty. The brakeman knows the 
railroad signals (a little better than the railway postal clerk knows 
them), he gets out at stop stations and parades the platform—but for 
these trivial duties he averages as much pay as the railway postal 
clerks who work steadily all this time while the train pounds along 
and the brakeman and conductor rest upon the cushions. 

Now, add to all this the fact that the road work is only a portion of 
the railway postal clerk’s duties. On his lay-off at home he must pre¬ 
pare for at least two examinations a year, making a grade of 98 per 
cent, covering from 5,000 to 12,000 post offices in 6 to 10 different 
States; he also must pass an examination on the postal laws and rules, 
correct his schemes of distribution each week, keep up on the schedule 
of mail trains, make out the report of work done on the trip just com¬ 
pleted, prepare slips for use on the next trip, attend to official corre¬ 
spondence, arid thus uses up an average of four to five hours per day 
in attending to the innumerable details of preparation for duty. The 
hours now required are far in excess of those in effect in ordinary 
occupations, including the clerks in departmental offices. For all 
these reasons our hours should be reduced and our pay increased. 
Can anyone say our request for a five-hour distribution day under 
these conditions is unreasonable ? 

It seems incredible that the pay of railway postal clerks has been 
increased but $100 per year during the past 20 years. This, however, 
is true and we insist that we are entitled to an immediate raise of 
$100 per annum. The Government should not be behind the times 
in recognizing the value of services and noting the increase in wages 
and salaries in every other branch of business activity. The increased 
cost of living brings the railway postal clerks face to face with a serious 
financial condition, unless the desired raise is obtained: Be it further 

Resolved , That we, 130 railway postal clerks assembled, ask that a 

E er diem of $1 per day be allowed and a sufficient amount of money 
e appropriated by Congress to cover this. In asking for this we 
simply ask that our actual expense be considered while we are on 
road duty. There is now an expense allowance given railway postal 
clerks of 6 cents for each meal and 7 cents for a bed after we" are out 
12 hours. This is a farce to us and we ask that this be remedied and 
we do insist that the amount of $769,000 now asked by the Post 
Office Department is a sum insufficient and $1,560,000 should be the 
sum asked for, and also the elimination of the words ‘‘after being 
out 12 hours,” as this is a hardship for all men on short runs. 

We could cite instances all over the country to uphold our claims; 
for instance, the clerks running into Chicago are forced to pay out of 
their salaries 50 cents per meal, and $1 for bed, and that all Govern¬ 
ment men except the railway postal clerks are given at least $3 per 
day expense money when away from their homes: Be it further 
Resolved , That we ask your support of a retirement bill such as the 
“Goulden bill” and we wish to go on record against the Gillette bill 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 9 

whereby part of our salary is to be withheld each month to make 
this retirement fund: Be it further 

Resolved, That we urge the use of all-steel cars in the Railway Mail 
Service and consider that we are not given the proper protection 
under present conditions. The report of the Post Office Department 
for the year ending July 1 , 1910, shows 24 deaths and 715 injuries in 
the Railway Mail Service resulting from accidents. Of this number 
the 24 killed and all receiving serious injuries, were on duty in wooden 
cars. There was not a single death and no serious injuries received 
where steel cars were used. It would seem that the matter of delay 
in placing steel cars in service is but a permission to commit murder. 

We would call attention to the fact that on December 24, 1910, a 
crew of six men left Columbus, Ohio, for Norfolk, Va., on the Norfolk 
& Western Railroad in a wooden mail car and that four of the six 
men were killed, one dangerously injured, the sixth man badly 
injured. Many other instances could be cited that show the wooden 
cars to be death traps, especially when same are placed in a train 
when there are any steel'Cars. We do object to the use of a wooden 
car in a mail train at any time: Be it further 

Resolved, That it is a fact that promotions of railway postal clerks 
are being regularly held up for months and months, sometimes even 
to a couple of years. Vacancies occur in the higher grades; some clerk 
is notified through regular channels that he is to fill the vacancy, but 
the department fails to raise the clerk’s salary. No reason is given 
by the department for not making the promotion. Congress makes 

E rovision for filling these vacancies and the money is appropriated, 
ut evidently the Post Office Department fails to do its part. 

At the present time there are 146 vacancies in the Railway Mail 
Service. The department is on record with the statement that these 
vacancies will not be filled before July 1 , 1911. 

Lower grade clerks are compelled to fill these vacancies, but are not 
allowed the pay that the vacancy demands. 

At the present time there are vacancies all through the Railway 
Mail Service. In place of these vacancies being filled, the men on 
their lay-off (rest time) are required to take turns, without extra pay, 
at keeping up the work of these vacant positions. 

This condition of affairs has been in existence for months and we see 
no signs of a let-up from it. We most urgently request that all 
vacancies be filled and all promotions be made at once: Be it further 
Resolved, That about two months ago the Post Office Department 
inaugurated the demerit system. By this system a demerit is 
placed to a clerk’s record for errors committed. There is no merit 
system in connection. By virtue of their work two men of the same 
class in a crew are not placed on an equality. One clerk may be a 
station man and therefore be more liable to make errors and thus 
build up his demerit record. When a chance comes for promotion 
(all other points being equal) the man without the demerit marks gets 
the promotion. 

We claim this is an injustice, due to the demerit system. 

A report of demerit is included with the regular monthly error 
record. 


10 DEMOTION" OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

We request that a merit record also be included with the demerit 
record so we may know our relative standing in regard to merits and 
demerits: Be it further 

Resolved, That we believe we should have extra pay for extra duty; 
that is for any duty performed over and above the five hours distribu¬ 
tion per day, figured on a basis of 308 working days (365 days less 52 
Sundays and 5 holidays), except during the holiday season from 
December 15 to January 5 of the following year, when we are willing 
to perform three days extra duty without extra compensation. 

We also request that immediate action be taken to appoint suffi¬ 
cient number of clerks to put all railway post-office lines on this 5-hour 
day basis: Be it further 

Resolved , That, owing to insufficient help on many mail traiqs, that 
much mail is being carried past its destination and sent back on 
return trains, causing a delay in many instances of 24 hours, thus 
working an injustice on the public. An example: On January 13, 
1911, Union Pacific train No. 19 left 75 sacks of western mail at the 
Union Pacific Transfer, under orders of the Post Office Department, 
which was held over and worked by clerks on extra duty and 
forwarded the next day for the west just 24 hours late. On sev¬ 
eral occasions this winter the same has occurred on this and other 
lines. The Burlington and Northwestern trains have arrived at 
Omaha with considerable mail not distributed. This is sent back 
over the lines, frequently several times, before reaching its destina¬ 
tion. Quite often Nebraska mail is brought into the State unworked, 
sent west for delayed distribution, and returned on incoming trains, 
thus delaying important mail for Omaha and other points many 
hours. In justice to the public all railway mail trains should be.suf¬ 
ficiently manned to complete the distribution before arriving at the 
terminal: Be it further 

Resolved,, That clerks assigned as transfer clerks shall not be com¬ 
pelled to work more than 7J hours per day, 6 days per week, and that 
transfer clerks shall have a classification separate from road clerks and 
shall be classified as a full railway post office where two or more men 
are assigned to any one station. That each station where transfer 
clerks are assigned shall be rated as separate railway post office and 
promotions be made from that railway post office to any vacancy 
in said railway post office. We further state that transfer clerks in 
this district are now compelled to work on average of 9 hours per day, 
7 days per week, an average of 250 hours per month, and should there 
be a vacancy there is nothing to prevent a road clerk from being 
promoted to the position, thus preventing clerks of lower grades m 
the transfer service receiving proper promotions: Be it further 

Resolved , That we do object most emphatically against the con¬ 
tinuance of what is generally known as the “gag order,” an order that 
prohibits railway postal clerks from enjoying the rights accorded 
other citizens of the United States; that is, the right to confer with or 
petition Congress direct upon any subject we may deem just for the 
good and advancement of the service and ourselves at any time. 

By this order our freedom of speech, a right given us by the laws of 
our country, is prohibited, and the actions of Congress, the supreme 
law-making body of this land, thereby set at naught. 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 11 

The u gag.order” should be prohibited and full rights of citizenship 
accorded railway mail clerks: Be it further 

Resolved , That we believe the only proper remedy for the evils 
that now exist in the Railway Mail Service is for Congress to take 
specific action and place the matter upon our statute books, and 
not leave the question open for any one individual to interpret as 
he may desire. 


Kansas City, Mo., February 8, 1911. 

Mr. Joe P. Johnston, 

Inspector in charge , Kansas City, Mo. 

Sir: We have the honor to submit herewith the following report 
setting forth the results of our investigation, made February 2 to 7, 
inclusive, relative to the discontent existing among the railway postal 
clerks at Omaha, Nebr., and the alleged formation of a secret organi¬ 
zation for the purpose of fomenting trouble among these clerks. 

When we arrived at Omaha the morning of the 2d instant we made 
inquiries and learned that Supt. West, of the sixth division, Railway 
Mail Service, was in the city and apparently conducting a similar 
investigation among the clerks, and that after he had interviewed 
numerous clerks he made a report to General Supt. Grant. It was 
reported that he left for Lincoln, Nebr., Cheyenne, Wyo., and Sioux 
City, Iowa. Believing that his investigation might be made the 
subject of newspaper comment, which we desired to avoid, we tele¬ 
graphed this information to you. In our investigation we made it 
the practice to first learn the standing of the clerk before interviewing 
him, and unless we were satisfied that he was reliable we made no 
inquiries concerning the subject under investigation. 

We ascertained that on January 26, 1911, there was held in the 
Labor Temple, Omaha, Nebr., a mass meeting attended by the railway 
postal clerks centering in this city and newspaper reporters. The 
call for this meeting was made by the use of the telephone and by 
newspaper notices, and from the opinions expressed by our informants 
it appears that clerks C. P. Rodman and F. L. Schopp were the 
organizers, but we have no definite information that such is the case. 
John I. Negley, Omaha and Denver railway post office, was appointed 
chairman and clerk A. C. Rossen secretary of the meeting. Some 
unknown clerk (who probably is C. P. Rodman) requested that a poll 
of the room be taken to bar those not holding postal clerks commis¬ 
sion, but this was objected to by a number of clerks who stated that 
if it was not to be a public meeting they did not care to take part. 
After considerable discussion it was agreed to have an open meeting, 
but that the names of the organizers and committees were to be kept 
secret. We were informed that the following committee on resolu¬ 
tions was appointed: C. P. Rodman (chairman), L. R. Rossiter, Roy 
Fox, Harry McNichols, Jesse Moraine, and a clerk on the Chicago and 
Council Bluffs railway post office. Resolutions, as per copy sent you 
February 3, were drafted and two copies, accompanied by an unsigned 
typewritten letter requesting that they be sent to the Postmaster 
General and General Superintendent Railway Mail Service, mailed 
under cover of special delivery to the chief clerk, Railway Mail Service, 
Omaha, Nebr. We were unable to secure another copy of the reso¬ 
lutions and clid not learn where they were printed. It also appears 



12 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


that a telegram, briefly outlining the resolutions adopted at this 
meeting, was sent that evening to the Postmaster General, and from 
what we can learn it was signed by a newspaper reporter, sanctioned 
by the committee on resolutions. 

From the information obtained it appears that the first intention 
of the organizers was to have a secret meeting, but because of the 
demands of the more conservative clerks a public meeting was held. 
We are satisfied that a secret organization does not exist or is in 
process of formation among the railway postal clerks at Omaha. It 
was alleged by one clerk we interviewed that this meeting was 
originally planned to be called for the purpose of giving moral sup¬ 
port to the clerks of the tenth division, Railway Mail Service, who 
it is alleged have entered into a secret organization for the purpose 
of bringing about the removal of Supt. Perkins. Also that the clerks 
of this secret organization, consisting of over 500 members, have 
agreed to leave the service on March 15, 1911, unless the clerks of 
that division who are at present under suspension, or who have 
recently been removed, be reinstated. The information concerning 
this secret organization seems to come from the clerks running on 
the Minneapolis and Council Bluffs railway post office. Rumors 
also seem to have reached St. Paul, Minn., and vicinity that a 
secret organization existed in Omaha, and there is considerable 
gossip among the postal clerks relative to this subject. We were 
informed that one J. L. Thornton, a clerk who was recently removed 
from the service, is organizer of this secret organization at St. Paul 
and that he is sending out letters to various railway post offices 
requesting clerks not to accept transfers to the tenth division to fill 
the vacancies of suspended clerks; further, that he is receiving money 
from clerks throughout the country to be used as a relief fund for the 
suspended clerks on the Tracy and Pierre railway post office. At 
Kansas City, Mo., to-day we secured one of the Thornton letters and 
inclose same as Exhibit A. This letter reads as follows: 


Brother clerics: 


You no doubt have heard of the suspension of our clerks on the Tracy and Pierre 
railway post office for refusing to do extra duty without compensation. 

It is of this we intend to treat. We of the tenth division believe that they stand 
in the same relationship to us as railway postal clerks as the Boston tea party did 
to the American Colonies, and because of this fact they deserve our undivided sup¬ 
port. Therefore we are inclosing to you not only a set of resolutions passed by us 
and forwarded to 50 Members of Congress, but also an appeal for financial aid to help 
these boys out until they are reinstated. This fund to be named Tracy and Pierre 
fund and used for no other purpose. 

The clerks of the tenth division are rendering all the financial assistance they can, 
but you can readily see that it is impossible for us to keep up a pay roll amounting to 
over a thousand dollars a month. 

If these clerks are reinstated before this fund is all used, we think it a very good 
idea to forward the balance on hand to the Harpoon; oi we will return it to the donors, 
if so desired. 

Any contributions for this purpose will be gladly received by the undersigned. 

Very respectfully, 


J. L. Thornton, 
Chairman Publicity Committee , 

1002 Pioneer Press Building , St. Paul, Minn. 


It will be noted that the Thornton letter contains no request to 
clerks not to accept transfers to the tenth division, but does make 
an appeal for funds to relieve suspended clerks on the Tracy and 
Pierre railway post office. 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 13 


We also inclose copy of the resolutions mentioned above and a 
circular letter dated February 2, 1911, signed by James Manahan, 
an attorney located at Minneapolis, Minn., whom we understand is 
employed by the railway postal clerks. 

On the 4th instant we received your telegram requesting that we 
ascertain the names of about a dozen railway postal clerks who have 
remained loyal and faithful to the Government and refused to par¬ 
ticipate or sympathize in any manner with the disorganizes at 
Omaha. After carefully considering a number of reliable clerks we 
telegraphed you the names of 10 clerks who we believe meet the 
requirements. The names were as follows: T. B. Eastland, Fred 
Eastman, W. J. Nash, E. W. Field, G. G. Whitmore, F. M. Miller, 
A. H. Fuller, J. T. Johnston, A. W. Griffin, and J. G. Hart. 

Herewith we inclose a number of clippings taken from the Omaha 
newspapers and which have some bearing on the subject under 
investigation. 

We will continue to advise you of any new developments coming 
to our attention. 

Very respectfully, R. S. Brauer, 

J. C. Lindland, 

Post Office Inspectors. 


Report examined, approved, and forwarded to chief inspector Feb¬ 
ruary 8, 1911. 


Joe P. Johnston, 

Post-Office Inspector in Charge Division. 


February 10, 1911. 

Sir: I am in receipt of the report of Inspectors Brauer and Lind¬ 
land dated February 8, 1911, covering a special investigation made 
of an attempted secret organization among railway postal clerks in 
the vicinity of Kansas City, Mo., and Omaha, Nebr. It is noted on 
page 4 of this report that in an interview with a railway postal clerk, 
whose name the inspectors fail to mention, a secret organization con¬ 
sisting of over 500 members, each of whom has agreed to leave the 
service on March 15, 1911, unless the clerks of the tenth division who 
are at present under suspension are reinstated, has been formed. 

I wish your inspectors to keep steadily at work on this matter until 
they ascertain tne character and extent of this organization, and 
beyond any question of doubt, the names of the ringleaders prepar¬ 
ing for this alleged strike. 

Please keep this office posted by cipher wire of important develop¬ 
ments. 


Respectfully, 

The Inspector in Charge, 

Kansas City , Mo. 


Chief inspector. 





14 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


Omaha, Nebr., February 16, 1911. 

Mr. Joe P. Johnston, 

Inspector in Charge. 

Kansas City, Mo. 

Sir: I have this day again interviewed Boydston, the transfer 
clerk at Omaha, Nebr., who in a recent interview with myself and 
Inspector Lindland asserted that there was in existence a secret 
organization in the tenth division Radway Mail Service. In inter¬ 
view to-day he claimed that he had information to the effect that this 
organization had upwards of 400 members; that they had paid to 
Manahan, the attorney, a retaining fee of $500 and an additional fee 
of $25 per day while he remains at Washington, D. C. 

I do not consider Boydston a very safe man. I ascertained that 
he carries a membership card in the local printers’ union, and has be¬ 
longed to that organization throughout the time that he has been in 
the Railway Mail Service, and which has been not less than 10 years. 
He claims that he can not remember who his informant relative to 
the conditions existing in the tenth division is, other than that he 
was a clerk on the Minneapolis and Council Bluffs railway post 
office. I regard this as being very doubtful. He alleges that Thorn¬ 
ton, ex postal clerk of the tenth division has been soliciting funds 
from the postal clerks of this vicinity to be applied to the payment 
of attorneys’ fees, etc., and that he has been sending out communica¬ 
tions other than the one which was procured at Kansas City, Mo., 
and which requested financial aid for the suspended clerks of the 
Tracy and Pierre railway post office. 

There are no indications of the formation of a secret organization 
at this point, but the recent promotions which have been received 
are alleged by the clerks to be due to the determined stand made by 
them in the meeting held here on the 26th ultimo, and as a result some 
of them are becoming arrogant in their demands and bearing. The 
ringleaders at this point, to the best of my information are Rodman, 
Romaine, and Negley. In the past few days Negley has endeavored 
to induce the clerks on the Omaha and Denver railway post office to 
sign a statement refusing to perform extra duty in the “ Terminal 
railway post office” maintained at Union Pacific Transfer, Iowa. His 
efforts failed because of the stand taken by the older clerks. Romaine 
and Rodman are avowed Socialists, and I learned without a doubt 
that Romaine is in correspondence with the malcontents in the tenth 
division. I have interviewed none other than Boydston. Am leav¬ 
ing here for Chicago, Ill., at which point I believe that I will be able 
to obtain reliable information among my personal acquaintances in 
the tenth division. 

Very respectfully, R. S. Brauer, 

Post Otfice Inspector. 


Report examined, approved, and forwarded to chief inspector Feb¬ 
ruary 17, 1911. 


Joe P. Johnston, 

Post Office Inspector in Charge Division. 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 15 

Omaha, Nebr., March 8, 1911. 

Mr. Joe P. Johnston, 

Inspector in Charge , Kansas City , Mo. 

Sir: I have the honor to advise you that at a regular meeting of 
the Lincoln Branch of the sixth division of the Railway Postal Clerks 
Association, held last evening, a resolution was passed thanking the 
Harpoon for the good work done by it in behalf of the clerks and 
directing that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the editor of 
the Harpoon and the Railway Post Office, the official organ of the 
association. This meeting was held in the office of Chief Clerk 
Butler, and a resolution was passed and committee appointed look¬ 
ing to securing quarters elsewhere for holding of future meetings. 
The reason given was in order to secure more room, which reason 
would be valid, but the chief clerk is of the opinion that the true 
reason was in order that the meetings might be held in a place where 
more radical talk and action could be had than he would permit in 
his office. On the resolution thanking the Harpoon there were sev¬ 
eral affirmative votes, one negative vote, and numerous clerks not 
voting. 

Subsequent to the conference between representatives of the clerks 
and department officials in Washington recently, Mr. Batsen, presi¬ 
dent of the sixth division, addressed a meeting of clerks at Lincoln, 
and he and Mr. Schardt, vice president of the national association, 
addressed a meeting in Omaha. It is stated that in the latter 
meeting Mr. C. H. Erwin, president of the Omaha branch, introduced 
the question as to who was paying the expenses of the speakers, the 
inference being that the department was doing so. As previously 
reported, the talk of Messrs. Batsen and Schardt on returning from 
Washington was of a conciliatory and pacific character, and it appears 
that there is a considerable feeling among the more radical clerks that 
these men in some way lay down to or were taken in by the officials 
of the department in connection with the Washington conference. 
It is stated that the clerks express loyalty to Canfield, national presi¬ 
dent, but are much opposed to Wood, secretary, but that the griev¬ 
ances against the latter are of much longer standing than the present 
agitation, and that there is a strong sentiment, if not movement, in 
favor of a reorganization of the national association to place more 
radical men at the head, and that Walters, editor of the Harpoon, be 
made editor of the Railway Post Office. Erwin, head of the Omaha 
branch, has a brother, R. E. Erwin, residing in Omaha but belonging 
to the Lincoln branch, and Mr. Butler attributes the responsibility 
of much of the agitation at Lincoln to the former. The situation at 
St. Paul was not referred to in the meeting. A telegram from Mr. 
Schardt was read denying that his expenses were paid by the depart¬ 
ment. The authorship of the resolution thanking the Harpoon was 
not disclosed, as it had been previously placed in the hands of the 
secretary. 

Chief Clerk Butler appears to be more concerned and out of patience 
with the action of the clerks than at any former time. 


16 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


There are no developments in connection with a secret organiza¬ 
tion at Lincoln. 

Respectfully, Henry E. Randall, 

Post Office Inspector . 

Report examined, approved, and forwarded to chief inspector 
March 9, 1911. 

Joe P. Johnston, 

Post Office Inspector in Charge Division. 


March 11, 1911. 

Memorandum for the Postmaster General. 

I hand you herewith certain papers, reports, cipher messages, etc., 
which relate to the disaffection, dissatisfaction, and apparent dis¬ 
loyalty toward the department on the part of certain railway postal 
clerks throughout the United States. 

For consideration in connection with the reports of Inspector in 
Charge Simmons, recently submitted to you, regarding conditions on 
the Tracy and Pierre railway post office, and also the papers sub¬ 
mitted herewith, I beg to advise that, as near as I can ascertain from 
the inquiries which have been made under cover, and without an 
open hivestigation, I find that this difficulty among the railway 
postal clerks has been brewing for several years. A periodical pub¬ 
lication called the Harpoon, controlled by Urban A. Walter, an 
ex-railway postal clerk, who appears to have been very kindly treated 
while in the service, has contained scurrilous and abusive articles, 
directed not only against yourself but your predecessors and depart¬ 
ment officials regarding their alleged bad treatment of railway postal 
clerks. It has been the desire of Mr. Walter to increase the circu¬ 
lation of his journal, out of which it appears he makes his living. 
Recent attempts on the part of the department to ascertain the 
conditions existing in the Railway Mail Service and the character of 
supervision which it is receiving, have resulted from time to time in 
the issuance, in your name, of unfortunate orders, at one or two 
points, which have been seized upon by Walter and his friends and 
that element of the railway postal clerks who are opposed to what 
is known as the National Association, Railway Postal clerks, for the 
purpose of fomenting discontent and rebellion. 

At many places throughout the country newspaper articles of a 
denunciatory character have appeared, evidently inspired by rail¬ 
way postal clerks; and as a rule these articles have appeared in 
newspapers published in sections of the country where railway 
postal clerks have not been affected in the least by any changes or 
orders. About this time, taking advantage of the conditions exist¬ 
ing, it appears that the officers of the American Federation of Labor, 
who have made frequent attempts in the past to entice the railway 

E ostal clerks to affiliate with their organization without success, 
ecame aggressive, holding conferences from time to time with the 
discontented clerks, and in almost every instance these clerks 
proved to be those whose working hours and whose positions have 
not been affected, either directly or indirectly, by any departmental 
orders. Unfortunate conditions, set forth in the report oi Inspector 
in Charge Simmons on the Tracy and Pierre railway post office, 



DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 17 


afforded an opportunity for open rebellion. Led by a discharged 
railway postal clerk, who immediately made a tentative organiza¬ 
tion of the clerks in that vicinity, giving employment to an attorney 
at law by the name of Monahan, assisted by Urban A. Walter and 
the discharged clerks of the Tracy and Pierre railway post office, 
fiery and vicious appeals for help were made through this lawyer 
and his clients to the clerks throughout the country. This resulted 
in an accumulation of a fund of several thousand dollars with which 
the lawyer repaired to Washington for the purpose of creating strife 
and discord among the Members of Congress. 

Many of the newspaper articles which have appeared in the journals 
mentioned above are from the pen of either Walter or this lawyer. 
It appears that Walter is connected, either directly or indirectly, as a 
correspondent or in some other capacity, with a Cleveland (Ohio) 
paper, which also owns or controls a paper at Boston, Mass., and 
through the columns of these journals and two or three other news¬ 
paper connections a general crusade of abuse and misrepresenta¬ 
tion was inaugurated for the purpose of creating sympathy for the 
clerks. I am of the opinion, however, that this was also largely 
for the purpose of keeping up the fund to support the discharged 
clerks and the lawyer in the case—more particularly the latter. 
But about this time the more conservative and reasonable element 
of the railway postal clerks, who have been complaining regarding 
some orders issued by the Second Assistant Postmaster General, 
and who are officers of the National Association of Railway Postal 
Clerks, began to realize that the faction led by Walter, Thornton, 
and others proposed creating a separate organization among the rail¬ 
way postal clerks, largely as a protest against what they term the con¬ 
servatism in their relations with the Department of the Railway 
Mail Service Mutual Benefit Association officers, but primarily, in 
my opinion, for the purpose of forming an organization with the 
deliberate intention of subsequently affiliating with the American 
Federation of Labor. 

As an evidence of the fact that Mr. Walter’s interest in this matter 
is largely selfish, it appears that a few days ago he mailed several 
thousand circulars at the Denver (Colo.) post office, on the outside 
of each envelope of which appeared denunciatory and scurrilous 
statements regarding officials of the department. These circulars 
were appeals to postal clerks for the purpose of securing their sub¬ 
scriptions to the Harpoon, and eventually, as could be read through 
the lines of the circular, securing the adoption of the Harpoon as the 
official organ and public protector of the interests of the clerks. 
The object in printing this matter on the outside of the circulars in 
large, red letters was, in my opinion, for the purpose of advertising 
the Harpoon, as Mr. Walter well knew that every postal clerk hand¬ 
ling one of the circulars would be sure to read the inscription thereon. 

I believe, from what I can gather, that this separate organization 
among the railway postal clerks has not been received as enthusi¬ 
astically as was expected, notwithstanding the encouragement, sym¬ 
pathy, and support it is constantly receiving from the officers of the 
American Federation of Labor. You will find among the papers 
inclosed direct appeals from the officers of this organization to the 
clerks. 

S. Doc. 1130, 62-3-2 


18 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

On account of the condition of the clerks’ minds during the last 
two or three months, I did not deem it advisable to make an open 
investigation of their conduct, and necessarily confined the efforts 
of a few inspectors to making quiet inquiries under cover. There¬ 
fore the reports received as to the identity of the ring leaders, and 
exactly what they have accomplished in the way of organization, are 
largely hearsay. In many instances statements have been submitted 
with the distinct understanding that names are not to be divulged 
and hence any statements made in this memorandum regarding the 
ring leaders in this movement at various points must be considered 
as being reasonably correct only. All charters for the organization 
are issued from Washington, D. C., by Frank Morrison, secretary of 
the American Federation of Labor. Charters for local unions have 
been issued for Syracuse, N. Y., Cleveland, Ohio, Washington, D. C., 
and New York City, and applications for charters are in from Harris¬ 
burg, Pa., Richmond, Va., and Chattanooga Tenn. No doubt the 
organizations of clerks at Omaha, St. Paul and several other western 
points intend obtaining charters, but there is no information in the 
papers or from inspectors which indicates that charters have been 
issued at these points. 

Information has been obtained to the effect that the railway postal 
clerks named below appear to be ring leaders at the points mentioned. 

Washington, D. C .—Frank Gavin is president of the union, which 
has a membership of about 200 clerks. 

New York, N. Y. —W. H. Sniffen, president; Fred Anton, secre¬ 
tary; and William Pearson, treasurer. Active members are McLind- 
sey, Gillespie, Arthur, Wilan, and many others whose names we 
could not get. All those mentioned are clerks on the New York and 
Washington railway post office. The New York union has a member¬ 
ship of about 100, and held an important meeting on Saturday, Feb¬ 
ruary 25, at Beach’s Private Dormitory at No. 466 West Thirty- 
fourth Street. 

Boston, Mass. —Clerks running between Boston and New York 
held a meeting on Sunday, February 26, at Boston, for the purpose 
of applying for a charter. 

Syracuse, N. Y. —A few days previous to February 24, in a secret 
session, an organization was perfected. No outsiders were admitted. 
J. J. Mulligan was made president, Henry Gutli, who recently re¬ 
signed, was elected secretary and treasurer, and C. T. Rich is one of 
the chief promoters. 

St. Paul, Minn. —The meeting place of this organization is at 329^ 
Jackson Street, St. Paul. This branch claims that 400 clerks signed 
the application, but it is believed that only a small per cent of this 
number will become active members. Copies of the membership 
cards are inclosed, also a copy of the by-laws and constitution, 
which provide that in the event 75 per cent of the membership votes 
to resign, such action will bind the entire membership. Trouble in 
this branch exists largely among the younger clerks and those with 
grievances. J. L. Thornton, it appears, is the leader. Several 
meetings of this organization have been held, which have been open 
meetings. On February 22, 20 or 25 clerks attended a meeting to 
consider the advisability of affiliating with the American Federation 
of Labor, and discussing the oath card feature of the organization. 
The meeting place is in charge of one Ohman, who was recently 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 19 

removed from the Tracy and Pierre railway post office. The secret 
place of meeting is a small hall in the Hiawatha Temple, and the most 
active members are C. C. Van Dyke, C. L. Duff, “Bob” T. R. Brown, 
John Knutzen, W. H. Clayton, M. D. Hogan, A. T. Maries, J. H. 
Hughes, T. T. Beckwith, H. H. Stafford, C. M. Harvey, and C. E. 
Smith. The above-named clerks are generally actively engaged at 
headquarters of the organization. C. C. Van Dyke is secretary and 
C. L. Duff is treasurer. The main object of the organization at pres¬ 
ent is to crush the old organization known as the National Association 
of Railway Postal Clerks. Copies of the organization, appeals, etc., 
are in the papers attached. The oath card could not be obtained. 

This organization was first contemplated last September, the organ¬ 
izers being Kennedy Bros., a firm of lawyers the members of which 
were formerly railway postal clerks. The recent difficulty on the 
Tracy and Pierre railway post office gave the movement added impe¬ 
tus, and since that time the Kennedy Bros, and Monahan, the attor¬ 
ney who represents the Tracy and Pierre clerks, have been exceed¬ 
ingly active in fomenting discord On February 24 there was about 
$4,000 in the fund set aside for the use of the Tracy and Pierre clerks 
and their lawyers. This fund was formed by subscriptions from all 
over the country. It has not been ascertained whether this branch 
has joined the Federation of Labor. The matter was to be discussed 
on or about February 20. Clerks Louis Lohmann, L. R. Parker, T. H. 
Slattery, Waldemar Putch, and a clerk by the name of Duncan, who 
is assigned to the St. Paul and Havre railway post office, are the 
principal agitators at this point in overthrowing the present organi¬ 
zation of the national association in that vicinity. On February 20 
the regular organization of clerks, under the auspices of the conserva¬ 
tive element, met for the purpose of hearing the result of the visit 
of their president, Mr. Pete Schardt, to Washington. Schardt made 
a conservative talk advising the clerks to suspend judgment and 
obey departmental instructions. His speech was followed by one 
from Mr. Monahan, representing the Tracy and Pierre clerks, denun¬ 
ciatory of the officials of the department—particularly the Post¬ 
master General—and Mr. Perkins, superintendent of the tenth divi¬ 
sion. Monahan advised the clerks to continue the formation of 
secret organizations, to demand the reinstatement of the Tracy and 
Pierre clerks, and, if their demands were not complied with, to turn 
in their keys. This speech was followed by one from a man named 
Nelson, president of the Chicago Postoffice Clerks Association, which 
was along the same lines as that delivered by Monahan. In addition, 
however, he advised the consolidation of all postal employees and the 
uniting with the Federation of Labor. The leaders of the dissatisfied 
element at this point claim to have 452 members. The inspector 
doubts this and is of the opinion that perhaps that many signed the 
application, but after ascertaining the radical intentions of the lead¬ 
ers they hesitated to join. 

Chicago, III .—It is rumored that all members at this point were 
compelled to file their resignations with the leaders of the organiza¬ 
tion in order that none might fail at the critical moment. This lanp 
was freely discussed but has not yet been placed in effect. 

Lincoln, Nebr .—On February 7, after tne regular meeting of the 
clerks’ association at night, there was a meeting of clerks not under 
the authority of the association, the invitation to which had been 


20 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


extended by telephone. After the regular association meeting was 
over the clerks proceeded to the Knights of Phythias Hall and held 
another meeting. Practically all of the clerks in Lincoln who were 
off duty that night were in attendance at this secret meeting. Among 
these clerks were Kemp ton, Hughes, Thornton, and Bingham. W. F. 
Stone, of the Omaha and Denver railway post office, was chairman at 
this meeting, and C. H. Thurtle, of the same run, 'was secretary. A 
reporter for the Lincoln Daily Star was at the meeting, and the report 
published in the Star is thought to be authentic so far as it goes. 
Clerks Kempton, Livinghouse, and Mothersead were appointed as 
a committee on resolutions. A collection was taken up for the 
benefit of the clerks in the tenth division, Tracy and Pierre railway 
post office. The meeting appears to have occupied itself particularly 
m the consideration of reports of conditions existing elsewhere. Clerk 
Frank Mothersead, of the Lincoln and Billings railway post office, 
was the author of the article in the Nebraska State Journal of De¬ 
cember 16. This clerk denied that he wrote the article in the Omaha 
World-Herald, denouncing the Postmaster General and the adminis- 
tion of the Railway Mail Service, but admitted that he was preparing 
an article at that time which he intended to have published. This 
clerk admitted that on his line promotions had not been held up; 
that he had no complaint of any kind; and that the feeling of unrest 
was not so much on account of anything that had actually been done 
as it was on account of apprehension growing out of orders issued 
relative to taking up slack and economizing by lengthening hours, 
and by fear that some action might be taken to their injury. At the 
meeting mentioned above a letter which was received from Lawyer 
Monahan formed a prominent feature of the subjects under discus¬ 
sion. The resolutions prepared by the committee on resolutions 
were forwarded by mail through Chief Clerk Butler to the Postmaster 
General on February 12. The petition was given to the newspapers 
by the committee. You will find the newspaper article relating 
thereto inclosed with the papers herewith. On March 7 the Lincoln 
Branch of the Sixth Division of the National Association of Railway 
Postal Clerks held a meeting and passed a resolution thanking the 
Harpoon for the good work done by it in behalf of the railway postal 
clerks. The meeting was held in the office of Chief Clerk Butler; 
however, a resolution was passed providing that new quarters be 
secured for holding future meetings. The chief clerk is of the opinion 
that the true reason for this was to obtain a meeting place where 
they might indulge in radical talk. On the resolution thanking the 
Harpoon there were several affirmative votes, one negative, and 
numerous clerks not voting. R. E. Erwin is one of the leading agi¬ 
tators at this point; he is a brother of C. H. Erwin, president of the 
Omaha branch, who is the leader of the radical element at that point. 
We have been unable to ascertain the authorship of the resolution 
thanking the Harpoon. 

Omaha , Nebr .—Up to February 16 no indications of the formation 
of a secret organization at this point were noticed, but recent promo¬ 
tions of clerks are looked upon by them as being due to the deter¬ 
mined stand made by them in a meeting held at Omaha on February 
26, and as a result some of the clerks indulged in arrogant demands 
and their bearing was reprehensible. The ringleaders at this point 
in fomenting strife and discord are Rodman, Romaine, and Negley. 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 21 


Along between February 5 and 16, Negley endeavored to induce the 
clerks on the Omaha and Denver railway post office to sign a statement 
refusing to perform extra duty in the terminal railway post office main¬ 
tained at Union Pacific transfer. His efforts failed on account of 
the stand taken by the older clerks. Romaine and Rodman are 
avowed socialists. Romaine has been in frequent correspondence 
with the disaffected clerks in the St. Paul Division. At a recent 
meeting of the Omaha branch of the Association C. H. Erwin, the 
president, introduced a question as to who was paying the expenses 
of clerks Schardt and Baston, who addressed the meeting regarding 
a conference between representatives of the clerks and department 
officials in Washington. C. H. Erwin is reported as being quite 
radical in his views. He has a brother who is a railway postal clerk, 
R. E. Erwin, who belongs to the Lincoln branch. Much of the 
agitation at Lincoln is due to this brother. The Omaha branch is 
endeavoring to place more radical men at the head of the National 
Association, and the sentiment favors Walter, editor of the Harpoon, 
as editor of the Railway Post Office, the official organ of the National 
Association of Railway Postal Clerks. 

In a publication known as general order No. 1163, issued by the 
superintendent of the tenth division, Railway Mail Service, on page 
2, there appears the following item under the head of— 

REMOVALS AND REDUCTIONS. 

[Telegram.] 

Washington, D. C., February 2. 

Perkins, Superintendent , St. Paul, Minn. 

By order of the Postmaster General, clerks Mower, Fagrelius, Holcomb, O h ma n, 
and Gilbertson will be removed for insubordination. Clerks Bicek, Spillum, John¬ 
son, Eschels, and Dahms will be reduced one grade. Clerks who remained loyal will 
be promoted one grade as soon as possible. Substitutes who remain loyal and per¬ 
formed service will be given regular appointments and advanced one grade in the 
service. Give us their names. If you have any transfers to recommend, wire them. 
You are at liberty to make this known. 

Grant. 

This telegram was widely discussed and sent to postal clerks 
throughout the country. It has been commented on with reference 
to promoting clerks who remained loyal as soon as possible. A 
better effect would have resulted had the names of those who were 
promoted been mentioned in the telegram. Disloyal clerks are pass¬ 
ing the word along the line that if any clerks had actually been pro¬ 
moted their names would have been mentioned in the telegram. 

The above memorandum s a synopsis of what the inspectors havei 
found so far, with the exception of conditions in the New England 
section, which have been previously communicated to you in a memo¬ 
randum. Practically all of the above was obtained strictly under 
cover by the inspectors, and while it is believed that the information 
is accurate, and that great dissatisfaction and disloyalty existed 
for some time while Congress was in session, yet the feeling has beguti 
to modify and it is my opinion that the only parties who are now 
pressing the matter and encouraging strife and discord are the agents 
of the American Federation of Labor, who have made every possible 
effort for some years to induce the railway postal clerks to affiliate 
with them. It is evident that in this movement a large number of 


22 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

very excellent clerks have, without mature consideration, given aid 
and encouragement, and I would hesitate, upon the information 
obtained, to make any recommendation regarding any clerk without 
fortifying the same with an open investigation conducted in a fair 
manner, giving the clerks an opportunity to be heard in their own 
defense. 

I do recommend, however, that in such cases where the information 
mentioned above is corroborated by the open investigation which 
the Railway Mail Service officials have, no doubt, made through their 
chief clerks, the offending postal clerks be transferred to a branch 
of the postal service other than that of the Railway Mail Service, 
with a reduction in salary. Such transfers should be made preferably 
to positions as mailing clerks in post offices, in my opinion, and I 
further recommend that this action be taken gradually in different 
sections of the country. 

Chief Inspector . 

April 3, 1911. 

Memorandum for the Postmaster General. 

Whereas it appears from reliable information recently forwarded to 
this office by representatives of the department that C. H. Erwin, a 
railway postal clerk, has been perniciously active in endeavoring to 
foment discontent on the part of his fellow employees in the Railway 
Mail Service, and in so doing has exerted an influence detrimental 
to the best interests of the service and tending to insubordination, 
I have the honor to recommend, for the good of the service, that he be 
transferred from his present position and be assigned to duty as a 
mailing clerk at $1,200 per annum in the post office at Omaha, Nebr. 


Chief Inspector. 

Approved, April 3, 1911: 

Postmaster General. 


April 3, 1911. 

Memorandum for the Postmaster General. 

Whereas it appears from reliable information recently forwarded 
to this office by representatives of the department that C. P. Rodman, 
a clerk on the Omaha and Ogden railway post office, has been 
perniciously active in endeavoring to foment discontent on the part 
of his fellow employees in the railway mail service, and in so doing 
has exerted an influence detrimental to the best interests of the 
service and tending to insubordination, I have the honor to recom¬ 
mend that, for the good of the service, he be transferred from his 

E resent position and be assigned to duty as a mailing clerk in the 
lincoln, Nebr., post office at $1,200 per annum. 


Approved, April 3, 1911: 


Chief Inspector. 


Postmaster General. 












DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 23 


April 3, 1911. 

Memorandum for the Postmaster General. 

Whereas it appears from reliable information recently forwarded 
to this office by representatives of the department that John I. 
Negley, a railway postal clerk on the Omaha and Denver railway post 
office, has been perniciously active in endeavoring to foment dis¬ 
content on the part of his fellow employees in the railway mail 
service, and in so doing has exerted an influence detrimental to the 
best interests of the service and tending to insubordination, I have 
the honor to recommend that, for the good of the service, he be 
transferred from his present position and be assigned to duty as a 
mailing clerk at $1,100 per annum in the Omaha, Nebr., post office. 

Chief Inspector. 

Approved, April 3, 1911: 


Postmaster General. 


United States Senate, 
Washington, D. C., June 8, 1912. 

Hon. Robert S. Sharp, 

Chief Inspector, Post Office Department, 

Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir : I desire to call to your attention the cases of E. H. Erwin, 
Robert Erwin, John Negley, Charles P. Rodman, and William Hall, 
all of whom were demoted or dismissed as railway mail clerks some¬ 
thing over a year ago, without hearing or trial of any sort. 

I beg now to inquire whether it is possible to give these men a 
reasonable hearing at which they may have an opportunity to make 
their defense. 

I understand that hearings and investigations have taken place in 
other parts of the country, the result of which has been the restora¬ 
tion of the men to their positions, and if this has been done else¬ 
where, it is certainly no more than right that it should be done in 
Nebraska. 

I will appreciate an early reply. 

Yours truly, G. M. Hitchcock, 

United States Senator. 


June 10, 1912. 

My Dear Senator: Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of 
June 8, inquiring whether a hearing can be had in the cases of E. H. 
Erwin, Robert Erwin, John Negley, Charles P. Rodman, and William 
Hall, all of whom, you state, were demoted or dismissed as railway 
postal clerks something over a year ago. 

The question of the reinstatement or restoration to previous grades 
of railway postal clerks comes under the jurisdiction of the Second 
Assistant Postmaster General. 

Yours very truly, 


Hon. G. M. Hitchcock, 

United States Senate. 


Chief Inspector. 







24 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

Post Office Department, 

Office of the Chief Inspector, 

Washington, June 10, 1912. 

Memorandum for Hon. Frank H. Hitchcock, Postmaster General. 

I beg to submit herewith a letter from Senator G. M. Hitchcock, 
bearing date of June 8, in behalf of the reinstatement or restoration 
to previous grades of E. II. Erwin, Robert Erwin, John Negley, 
Charles P. Rodman, and William Hall, all of whom, he states, were 
demoted or dismissed as railway postal clerks a little over a year ago, 
during the agitation in the Railway Mail Service. 

In my memorandum of January 18, with reference to the case of 
Railway Postal Clerk Quackenbush, the statement was made that in 
the event of favorable action in that case the department would 
receive applications from all the other railway postal clerks against 
whom disciplinary action was taken for restoration to their previous 
positions. 

R. S. Sharp, 

Chief Inspector. 


discontinuance . 

The discontinuance of the pay and services of Robert E. Erwin, 
railway postal clerk, class 4, with pay at the rate of $1,300 per annum, 
between Omaha, Nebr., and Denver, Colo., is hereby recommended. 
Transferred to the Lincoln, Nebr., post office. 

Pay office: Omaha, Nebr. 

Theo. Ingalls, 
General Superintendent. 

Ordered: 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


Post Office Department, 

Office of the Chief Inspector, 

Washington, April 3, 1911. 
Memorandum for the Postmaster General. 


Whereas, it appears from reliable information recently forwarded 
to this office by representatives of the department that R. E. Erwin, 
a clerk on the Omaha and Denver Railway post office, has been per¬ 
niciously active in endeavoring to foment discontent on the part of 
his fellow employees in the Railway Mail Service, and in so doing has 
exerted an influence detrimental to the best interests of the service 
and tending to insubordination, I have the honor to recommend that, 
for the good of the service, he be transferred from his present position 
and be assigned to duty as a mailing clerk at $1,100 per annum in the 
Lincoln, Nebr., post office. 


Approved, April 3, 1911 : 

F. H. Hitchcock, Postmaster General. 


R. S. Sharp, 
Chief Inspector. 




DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 25 


April 4, 1911. 

Hon. C. P. Grandfield, 

First Assistant Postmaster General. 

Sir: The Postmaster General has approved the recommendation 
of the chief inspector, reading as follows: 

Whereas it appears from reliable information recently forwarded to this office by 
representatives of the department that R. E. Erwin, a clerk on the Omaha and Denver 
railway post office, has been perniciously active in endeavoring to foment discontent 
on the part of his fellow employees in the railway mail service, and in so doing has 
exerted an influence detrimental to the best interests of the service and tending to 
insubordination, I have the honor to recommend that, for the good of the service, he 
be transferred from his present position and be assigned to duty as a mailing clerk at 
$1,100 per annum in the Lincoln (Nebr.) post office. 

When you have effected the arrangement for the transfer of the 
clerk named, kindly advise me, and an order will be issued terminating 
his services and pay as a railway postal clerk. 

Prompt action in this case is desirable. 

Respectfully, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General . 


[Memorandum.] 

Office of First Assistant Postmaster General, 

April 5, 1911. 

Mr. Thorp: 

I talked with the chief inspector in regard to the transfer of the 
railway mail clerks, C. P. Rodman and R. E. Erwin, to Lincoln, 
Nebr., and suggested that as additional clerks are needed at Omaha 
that these men be transferred to Omaha instead of to Lincoln. 

The chief inspector states that he has no objection to this, and Mr. 
Stew T art is also agreeable. 

C. P. G. 


Omaha, Nebr., April 15, 1911. 

John M. Butler, Chief Cleric, 

Lincoln, Nebr. 

Dear Sir: In connection with the order of the department 
transferring me as a rahway postal clerk, class 4, on the Omaha and 
Denver railway post office, to a position in the Lincoln, Nebr., post 
office, with a reduction of $200 per annum, and your letter of April 
13, acquainting me with this fact, I desire to say that it is with 
unusual pleasure that I hand you this, my resignation, as a clerk of 
class 4 on the Omaha and Denver railway post office, to become 
effective at 12.01 a. m., April 28, 1911. 

I will forward you under separate cover my badge, key, and photo¬ 
graph commission. The other property of the Government in my 
possession I will fix up and forward to your office at the earliest 
possible moment. 

Very respectfully, Robert E. Erwin, 

Omaha and Denver Railway Post Office. 






26 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

Railway Mail Service, 

Office of Superintendent Sixth Division, 

Chicago, 111., April 18,1911. 

Respectfully referred to General Superintendent Railway Mail 
Service, Washington, D. C. 

Please find herewith the resignation of Robert E. Erwin. This 
clerk ceased as a railway postal clerk with April 15, and I will inform 
Chief Clerk Butler that Erwin can not be continued on the rolls until 
April 28 as desired by him. 

E. L. West, 
Superintendent. 


November 6, 1911. 

Memorandum for the Second Assistant Postmaster General. 

Submitted herewith is a communication from Mr. P. J. Schardt, 
president of the Railway Mail Association, addressed to the chief 
post office inspector, in which he recommends, on behalf of the 
association, the reinstatement of Mr. Quackenbush. Attention is 
also called in this communication to the case of Mr. Erwin, and Mr. 
Schardt requests the same action in his case. 

The chief inspector has forwarded this letter to you with the 
statement that he does not feel called upon to alter or modify the 
original recommendation for the removal of Mr. Quackenbush. I 
am also of the opinion that Mr. Quackenbush’s conduct was preju¬ 
dicial to the service and his influence was extremely detrimental, 
and I recommend that neither he nor Mr. Erwin be reinstated. 

General Superintendent. 


DISCONTINUANCE. 

The discontinuance of the pay and services of Chester H. Erwin, 
railway postal clerk, class 5, with pay at the rate of $1,400 per annum, 
between Omaha, Nebr., and Ogden, Utah, is hereby recommended. 
Transferred to the Omaha, Nebr., post office. 

Pay office: Omaha, Nebr. 

Theo. Ingalls, 
General Superintendent . 

Ordered: 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


[Telegram.] 

Post Office Department, 

Washington, April H, 1911. 

West, Superintendent, Chicago, III. 

Original orders changed so as to appoint Rodman and R. E. 
Erwin to Omaha instead of Lincoln post office. Fuller will fill 
Rodman vacancy. 


Ingalls. 






DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 27 


[Telegram.] 

Chicago, III., April H, 1911. 
General Superintendent, Railway Mail Service, 

Washington, D. C. 

Your letter 10th appoints Rodman, Omaha and Ogden, mailing 
clerk Lincoln, Nebr., post office. Postmaster Omaha has order 
assigning Rodman to Omaha post office. Which is correct? Shall 
Fuller, Omaha and Ogden, recently promoted $1,400, be assigned to 
Rodman vacancy ? 

West, Superintendent. 


Hon. C. P. Grandfield, 

First Assistant Postmaster General. 

Sir: The Postmaster General has approved the recommendation 
of the chief inspector, reading as follows: 

Whereas it appears from reliable information recently forwarded to this office by 
representatives of the department that C. II. Erwin, a railway postal clerk, has been 
perniciously active in endeavoring to foment discontent on the part of his fellow 
employes in the Railway Mail Service, and in so doing has exerted an influence detri¬ 
mental to the best interests of the service and tending to insubordination, I have the 
honor to recommend, for the good of the service, that he be transferred from his present 
position and be assigned to duty as a mailing clerk at $1,200 per annum in the post 
office at Omaha, Nebr. 

When you have effected the arrangement for the transfer of the 
clerk named, kindly advise me and an order will 'be issued terminating 
his services and pay as a railway postal clerk. 

Prompt action in this case is desirable. 

Respectfully, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


Post Office Department, 

Office of the Chief Inspector, 

Washington, April 3, 1911. 
Memorandum for the Postmaster General. 


Whereas it appears from reliable information recently forwarded 
to this office by representatives of the department that C. H. Erwin, 
a railway postal clerk, has been perniciously active in endeavoring 
to foment discontent on the part of his fellow employees in the 
Railway Mail Service, and in so doing has exerted an influence 
detrimental to the best interests of the service and tending to insub¬ 
ordination, I have the honor to recommend, for the good of the 
service, that he be transferred from his present position and be 
assigned to duty as a mailing clerk at $1,200 per annum in the post 
office at Omaha, Nebr. 

R. S. Sharp, 

Chief Inspector. 


Approved, April 3, 1911. 

F. H. Hitchcock, 

Postmaster General. 





28 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

Re reduction of Chester H. Erwin and transfer to Omaha post 
office. 

On April 10, 1911, an order was issued discontinuing the pay and 
services of Chester H. Erwin as a railway postal clerk, class 5, $1,400 
per annum, on the line between Omaha, Nebr., and Ogden, Utah, 
and transferring him to the Omaha post office at $1,200 per annum, 
this order being based on an order by the Postmaster General that 
such action be taken because of the fact that Mr. Erwin “has been 
perniciously active in endeavoring to foment discontent on the part 
of his fellow employees in the Railway Mail Service, and in so doing 
has exerted an influence detrimental to the best interests of the service 
and tending to insubordination.” 

(See letter from Superintendent West herewith.) 


Post Office Department, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Washington, April J, 1911. 

Hon. C. P. Grandfield, 

First Assistant Postmaster General. 

Sir: The Postmaster General has approved the recommendation 
of the chief inspector, reading as follows: 

Whereas it appears from reliable information recently forwarded to this office by 
representatives of the department that C. H. Erwin, a railway postal clerk, has been 
perniciously active in endeavoring to foment discontent on the part of his fellow 
employees in the Railway Mail Service, and in so doing has exerted an influence detri¬ 
mental to the best interests of the service and tending to insubordination, I have the 
honor to recommend, for the good of the service, that he be transferred from his present 
position and be assigned to duty as a mailing clerk at $1,200 per annum in the post 
office at Omaha, Nebr. 

When you have effected the arrangement for the transfer of the 
clerk named, kindly advise me, and an order will be issued terminating 
his services and pay as a railway postal clerk. 

Prompt action in this case is desirable. 

Respectfully, Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


Post Office Department, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Washington , October 17, 1911. 

Memorandum to be placed in the jacket of Chester H. Erwin: 

On October 12, 1911,1 had occasion to refer to the jacket of Chester 
IT. Erwin, to look at the order dated April 10, 1911, terminating his 
services as a railway postal clerk, but such order was not in the jacket. 
Upon inquiry I was informed by Mr. Douglass of this division that the 
order had been sent with other papers to the Second Assistant Post¬ 
master General. The latter’s private secretary, Mr. Nell, told me 
that a few days prior to my inquiry the Second Assistant Postmaster 
General returned the order to the Division of Railway Mail Service. 
The file clerk, Mr. Carbauh, tells me he has examined the jackets of all 
clerks with the surname Erwin, and also his accumulated unfiled 
orders, but can not find the order in question. 




DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 29 

The action in terminating C. H. Erwin’s services was based on 
a recommendation of the chief inspector, as shown by the copy 
attached hereto of a letter from the Second Assistant Postmaster Gen¬ 
eral to the First Assistant Postmaster General, dated April 4, 1911. 
Mr. Nell sent me a copy of a memorandum dated August 28, 1911, 
from the Second Assistant Postmaster General to the Postmaster Gen¬ 
eral in regard to this case, copy herewith. See also our files 50919 for 
action in the Erwin case. 

G. F. Stone, 

Assistant General Superintendent. 

Memorandum October 30, 1911. 

The order referred to (dated Apr. 10, 1911) was returned from 
Second Assistant Postmaster General’s desk to-day. 

Stone. 


DISCONTINUANCE. 

The discontinuance of the pay and services of Charles P. Rodman* 
railway postal clerk, class 5, with pay at the rate of 11,400 per annum 
between Omaha, Nebr., and Ogden, Utah, is hereby recommended. 
Transferred to the Lincoln, Nebr., post office. 

Pay office: Omaha, Nebr. 

Theo. Ingalls, 
General Superintendent. 

Ordered: 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


Post Office Department, 

Office of the Chief Inspector, 
Washington, Aprils, 1911. 
Memorandum for the Postmaster General. 

Whereas it appears from reliable information recently forwarded 
to this office by representatives of the department that C. P. Rod- 
man, a clerk on the Omaha & Ogden Railway Post Office, has been 
perniciously active in endeavoring to foment discontent on the part 
of his fellow employees in the Railway Mail Service, and in so doing 
has exerted an influence detrimental to the best interests of the 
service and tending to insubordination, I have the honor to recom¬ 
mend that, for the good of the service, he be transferred from his 
present position and be assigned to duty as a mailing clerk in the Lin¬ 
coln, Nebr., post office at $1,200 per annum. 

R. S. Sharp, 

Chief Inspector. 

Approved, April 3, 1911. 

F. II. Hitchcock, 

Postmaster General. 




30 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE KAILWAY MAIL SEEVICE. 


April 4, 1911. 

Hon. C. P. Grandfield, 

First Assistant Postmaster General. 

Sir: The Postmaster General has approved the recommendation 
of the chief inspector, reading as follows: 

Whereas it appears from reliable information recently forwarded to this office by 
representatives of the department that C. P. Rodman, a clerk on the Omaha & 
Ogden Railway Post Office, has been perniciously active in endeavoring to foment 
discontent on the part of his fellow employees in the Railway Mail Service, and in so 
doing has exerted an influence detrimental to the best interests of the service and tend¬ 
ing to insubordination, I have the honor to recommend that, for the good of the service, 
he be transferred from his present position and be assigned to duty as a mailing clerk 
in the Lincoln, Nebr., post office at $1,200 per annum. 

When you have effected the arrangement for the transfer of the 
clerk named, kindly advise me and an order will be issued terminat¬ 
ing his services and pay as a railway postal clerk. 

Prompt action in this case is desirable. 

Respectfully, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


[Memorandum.] 

Office of First Assistant Postmaster General, 

April 5, 1911. 

Mr. Thorp: 

I talked with the chief inspector in regard to the transfer of the 
railway mail clerks C. P. Rodman and R. E. Erwin to Lincoln, Nebr., 
and suggested that as additional clerks are needed at Omaha that these 
men be transferred to Omaha instead of to Lincoln. 

The chief inspector states that he has no objection to this and Mr. 
Stewart is also agreeable. 

C. P. G. 


United States Post Office, 

Omaha, Nebr., July 20, 1911. 
Second Assistant Postmaster General Stewart, 

Washington, D. C. 

Kind Sir: By an order from your office I was reduced from 5B 
grade on the Omaha and Ogden railway post office to $1,200 per year 
and assigned to the Omaha post office. I am this day forwarding 
through the regular channels an application for reinstatement to the 
Omaha and Ogden railway post office at my former grade and salary, 
$1,400 per year, and trust you will give it your kindest consideration. 

If it is within your province, I wish you would inform me just the 
specific charge as to cause of my reduction, as I am }^et in the dark in 
regard to that, and for the further reason that I do not care to repeat 
such an offense. 

Please let me hear from you in regard to matter. 

Respectfully, 

Chas. P. Rodman, 

3225 Pratt Street Omaha, Nebr. 






DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 31 


Omaha, Nebr., April 17, 1911. 

Mr. Charles P. Rodman, 

Railway Postal Cleric, Omaha, Nebr. 

Dear Sir: I am in receipt of a department order transferring you 
from the Omaha and Ogden railway post office, $1,400, to position in 
the Omaha post office as mailing clerk at $1,200 per annum. 

Quoting from department order: 

This action is taken because this clerk has been perniciously active in endeavoring 
to foment discontent on the part of fellow employees in the Railway Mail Service, 
and in doing so has exerted an influence detrimental to the best interests of the serv¬ 
ice and tending to insubordination. 

You will therefore cease service as clerk in Omaha and Ogden rail¬ 
way post office with April 22, reporting to Postmaster Thomas for 
duty as mailing clerk April 23. 

Respectfully, W. J. Mettlen, Chief Clerk. 


United States Post Office, 

Omaha, Nebr., July 20, 1911. 
Second Assistant Postmaster General Stewart, 

Washington, D. C. 

(Courtesy of Chief Clerk Mettlen, Omaha: Supt. E. L. West, 
Chicago; General Superintendent Ingalls, Washington, D. C.) 

Kind Sir: In view of the fact that on April 13, 1911, I was trans¬ 
ferred to the Omaha post office from the Omaha and Ogden (E. D.) 
railway post office on an order from your office and reduced from 
$1,400 per year to $1,200 per year, and this without me knowing the 
why for the action, and I do not yet know the specific cause for such 
reduction, I would respectfully ask that I be restored to the Omaha 
and Ogden at the 5B grade at a salary of $1,400. 

If this action was taken for discipline, I sincerely trust you will 
believe, when you receive this, that it has served its purpose and 
that you can see your way to restore me soon to the former assign¬ 
ment as it existed just prior to April 13, 1911. . 

Respectfully submitted. 

Ch as. P. Rodman. 


[Memorandum.] 

Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

July 26, 1911. 

General Superintendent, 

Division of Railway Mail Service. 

Please furnish me memorandum as to the reasons for the transfer 
of Mr. Rodman, in order that I may prepare a reply on that point 
pending the receipt of his application for reinstatement. 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 




32 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

Post Office Department, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Washington, August 1, 1911. 

Memorandum for the Second Assistant Postmaster General. 

The transfer of Mr. Rodman to the Omaha post office with reduc¬ 
tion to $1,200 per annum was in accordance with the recommenda¬ 
tion of the chief inspector, approved by the Postmaster General, 
because he had been “perniciously active in endeavoring to foment 
discontent on the part of his fellow employees in the Railway Mail 
Service, and in so doing had exerted an influence detrimental to the 
best interests of the service and tending to insubordination.” The 
inspector’s report is not in our fdes. 

Tiieo. Ingalls, 

General Superintendent. 


November 13, 1911. 


Mr. Charles P. Rodman, 

Clerk, Omaha Post Office, 

Omaha, Nebr. 

Sir: Your communication of July 20, 1911, addressed to me 
through the officers of the Railway Mail Service, requesting that you 
be reinstated in that service, reached me and has been given careful 
consideration. It appears that your influence with the employees 
of the Railway Mail Service was not for the best and tended to create 
discontent on the part of your associates, encouraging a condition 
in the service which was detrimental to its best interests. It was 
therefore ordered that you be transferred to the Omaha post office. 
I regret that the facts are such that I can not recommend your rein¬ 
statement. 

Very respectfully, -, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


November 13, 1911. 

Mr. Charles P. Rodman, 

Clerk, Omaha Post Office, 

Omaha, Nebr. 

Sir: Your communication of July 20, 1911, addressed to me 
through the officers of the Railway Mail Service, requesting that you 
be reinstated in that service, reached me and has been given careful 
consideration. It appears that your influence with the employees 
of the Railway Mail Service was not for the best and tended to create 
discontent on the part of your associates, encouraging a condition 
in the service which was detrimental to its best interests. It was 
therefore ordered that you be transferred to the Omaha post office. 
I regret that the facts are such that I can not recommend your rein¬ 
statement. 

Very respectfully, 


Second Assistant Postmaster General. 








DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 33 

Railway Mail Service, 

Office of Superintendent Sixth Division, 

Chicago, III., July 26, 1911. 

Respectfully referred to General Superintendent Railway Mail 
Service, Washington, D. C. 

Respectfully submitting letter from Charles P. Rodman, who was 
transferred from the Railway Mail Service into the Omaha post office. 

E. L. West, 
Superintendent. 


Omaha, July 25, 1911. 

Respectfully referred to superintendent Railway Mail Service, 
sixth division, Chicago, III. 

Transmitting herewith letter from Charles P. Rodman, at present 
a clerk in the Omaha post office, formerly a clerk in Omaha & Ogden 
railway post office and transferred to the post office in accordance 
with department orders. Copy'of letter advising him of such order 
inclosed. 

W. J. Mettlen, 

Chief Clerk. 


August 14, 1912. 

Memorandum for the Postmaster General. 

Replying to your request for a memorandum concerning the case of 
Charles P. Rodman, who was transferred from the Railway Mail 
Service to the Omaha (Nebr.) post office, I have to inform you as 
follows: 

Upon the approval of the Postmaster General of the memorandum 
of April 3, 1911, made him by the chief inspector, the services of Mr. 
Rodman as a railway postal clerk in the Omaha & Ogden R. P. O., at 
$1,400 per annum, were discontinued and he was transferred to the 
Omaha (Nebr.) post office at $1,200 per annum The memorandum 
of the chief inspector reads as follows: 

Whereas it appears from reliable information recently forwarded to this office by 
representatives of the department that C. P. Rodman, a clerk on the Omaha & Ogden 
R. P. O., has been perniciously active in endeavoring to foment discontent on the 
part of his fellow employees in the Railway Mail Service, and in so doing has exerted 
an influence detrimental to the best interests of the service and tending to insubordi¬ 
nation, I have the honor to recommend that, for the good of the service, he be trans¬ 
ferred from his present position and be assigned to duty as a mailing clerk in the 
Lincoln (Nebr.) post office at $1,200 per annum. 

At that time there were conditions in the Railway Mail Service by 
reason of which summary action was believed necessary in such cases. 

On July 20, 1911, Mr. Rodman requested restoration to the Rail¬ 
way Mail Service, and on November 13, 1911, he was informed by the 
Second Assistant Postmaster General that the facts were such that 
he could not recommend his reinstatement. On March 16, 1912, 
Representative Lobeck, of Nebraska, requested the reinstatement of 
Mr. Rodman and he was informed that the action taken was deemed 
to be neces ary for the good of the service and the facts such as to 
preclude consideration of his reinstatement. 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


S. Doc. 1130, 62-3-3 






34 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

Post Office Department, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Division of Railway Mail Service, 

Washington, April 18, 1911. 

Memorandum for the Second Assistant Postmaster General. 

With the information desired. 

C. H. Erwin admits that he is responsible for the platform, a copy 
of which accompanied your memorandum of March 31. Mr. Erwin 
is no longer connected with the service, as on April 10 an order was 
issued transferring him to the Omaha (Nebr.) post office with a reduc¬ 
tion in salary from $1,400 to $1,200 per annum. 

Theo. Ingalls, 
General Superintendent. 

Noted. 

Stewart. 

April 20, 1911. 


Railway Mail Service, 

Office of Superintendent Sixth Division, 

Chicago, Rl., April H, 1911. 

Respectfully referred to General Superintendent Railway Mail Serv¬ 
ice, Washington, D. C., returning files 44389, please find herewith reply 
of C. H. Erwin to your inquiry of April 1. Under the recent orders 
Erwin has been reduced and transferred to the Omaha (Nebr.) post . 
office. 

Files 44389. 

Erwin, C. H., platform of. 

E. L. West, Superintendent. 


Railway Mail Service, 

Office of Chief Clerk Sixth Division, 

Chicago, El., April 12,1911. 

Respectfully referred to Superintendent Railway Mail Service, 
sixth division, Chicago, Ill., returning herewith papers under depart¬ 
ment files No. 44389, regarding Erwin, C. H., platform of, with letter 
from Mr. Erwin in which he states that he prepared and circulated a 
platform in connection with his candidacy for president of the sixth 
division Railway Mail Association, a true copy of which I am inclosing 
herewith. 

Files 44389. 

Erwin, C. H., platform of. 

W. J. Mettlen, Chief Clerk. 


Omaha, April 10, 1911. 

W. J. Mettlen, C. C .: 

I herewith inclose you a copy of the platform which I prepared 
and circulated. 

I desire to state that in case I should be elected president of the 
sixth division, it would be my policy to act in a harmonious and 
friendly manner with officials of the Post Office Department. 





DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN .THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 35 

I am deeply interested in the welfare of the association, and believe 
that in order to obtain best results for both the clerks and the depart¬ 
ment, there should be no friction. Trusting that this statement may 
appeal to the fairness and better judgment of all concerned, I am, 
Very truly, yours, 

C. H. Erwin. 


Railway Mail Service, 

Office of Chief Clerk, 

Omaha, April 4, 1911. 

Chester H. Erwin, P. C. 

In connection with attached copy of letter which I made to Super¬ 
intendent West in accordance with our personal interview, I am 
requested to obtain a written statement from you on the subject. In 
connection therewith and with return of this letter will you kindly 
forward a copy of the platform,prepared and circulated, referred to. 

Chief Clerk. 


Post Office Department, 

Division of Railway Mail Service, 

Office of Superintendent Sixth Division, 

Chicago , III., April 3, 1911. 

Respectfully referred to Chief Clerk R. M. S., Omaha, Nebr. 
Under files 44389 the department is inquiring if Mr. Erwin is responsi¬ 
ble for what purports to be a copy of his platform. In view of the 
confidential letter I am returning to you, together with the papers, 
this affair is assuming rather a humorous phase as Erwin is evidently 
trying to carry water on both shoulders. He is one thing to the 
clerks from whom he is soliciting votes and another to the depart¬ 
ment, claiming that if he is elected president of the sixth division 
association that he will do what the department wants and be good. 
You would better put Erwin on record without permitting him to see 
this correspondence except so far as the alleged copy of his platform 
is concerned and return papers promptly with the facts in the case. 

Files 44389. 

E.. L. West, 
Superintendent. 

(Erwin, C. A., platform of.) 


[Confidential.] 


Post Office Department, 

Division of Railway Mail Service, 

Office of Chief Clerk, 
Omaha, Nebr., April 1, 1911 . 


Mr. E. L. West, 

Superintendent, Chicago. 

Dear Sir: During a recent interview with Chester H. Erwin, 
president of the local branch of the Railway Mail Association, a 
candidate for president of the sixth division, he stated to me that in 






36 DEMOTION OP CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

the event of his election it would be his policy to conduct the affairs 
of the sixth division association in harmony with the orders and 
desires of the department, believing that the most good would be 
obtained for all concerned by friendly cooperation with department 
officials; that while his platform, of which you have probably received 
a copy, may indicate in some respects a different attitude, the above 
is his desire. 

Mr. Erwin requested that I communicate this information to you 
in a confidential manner. 

Respectfully, 

M. W. Mettlen, Chief Clerk. 


F-J 

Post Office Department, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Division of Railway Mail Service, 

Washington , D. C., April 1, 1911. 

Respectfully referred to superintendent R. M. S., sixth division, 
Chicago, Ill. 

Please ascertain promptly if Mr. Erwin is responsible for what 
purports to be a copy of his platform. 

G. F. Stone, 

Acting General Superintendent. 


Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

March 31, 1911. 

Mr. Grant: I am returning to you your files of March 22, containing 
what purports to be a copy of C. H. Erwin’s platform. Have Super¬ 
intendent West immediately ascertain from Mr. Erwin whether he is 
responsible for this, and return papers. 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


Post Office Department, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Division of Railway Mail Service, 

Washington, D. C., March 22, 1911. 
Respectfully forwarded to the Second Assistant Postmaster Gen¬ 
eral for perusal. 


Alex Grant, 
General Superintendent. 


Railway Mail Service, 

Office of Superintendent Sixth Division, 

Chicago , III., March 17, 1911. 

Respectfully referred to General Superintendent R. M. S., Washing¬ 
ton, D. C., for his information. This was brought to me by Chief 
Clerk Chapin who tells me it was handed to him by clerk in"charge 






DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 37 

Warren, Chicago & Council Bluffs R. P. O. I do not like the tone 
of it at all. It is my understanding this is signed by Chester H. 
Erwin, Omaha & Ogden R. P. O. 

E. L. West, Superintendent. 


COPY OF C. H. ERWIN’s PLATFORM. 

First. Believing as I do that Urban A. Walter, editor of the 
Harpoon has been of inestimable value to us in our troubles in con¬ 
nection with the “slack order” and other things, and believing that 
it is our duty to recognize such loyal service, I am, therefore, in 
favor of making said Urban A. Walter editor of our official paper. 

If it is argued that Urban A. Walter is too radical, I answer that 
he will at all times be subject to order from the executive committee, 
who will at all times have the power to control the policy of the paper. 

Second. Not copied, but he ‘opposed the reelection of George A. 
Wood as secretary. 

Third. I am in favor of a sick benefit. 

If we can not have this without making our assessments too high 
and still retain the present $4,000 death benefit, I am then in favor 
of reducing the death benefit in order to enable us to secure a sick 
benefit. 

Fourth. I am in favor of creating a grievance committee, whose 
duty it shall be to appear before officials of the Post Office Depart¬ 
ment, or before Congress, for the purpose of presenting any deserving 
complaint. 

Fifth. I am in favor of the publication of expense account. 

If elected to the office of president of the Sixth Division I faith¬ 
fully promise to work and vote for the above enunciation of prin¬ 
ciples. 

Respectfully submitted this 27th day of February, 1911. 

C. H. Erwin. 


All members sixth division , Railway Mail Association. 

Gentlemen : As I have received several letters and telegrams ask¬ 
ing me for information as to why the division convention has been 
transferred from Omaha, I have decided to issue this open letter, in 
which I will give a brief history of the case and also my opinion as to 
why such transfer has been made. 

Some time in November a letter from Mr. Batson was received ask¬ 
ing for an invitation from Omaha to hold a convention at this place. 
At the next regular meeting the matter was taken up, and it was 
decided to extend to the executive committee an invitation to locate 
the convention at Omaha. 

I will now quote from a letter in answer to the letter of invitation 
which I immediately forwarded. This letter is under date of Decem¬ 
ber 28, and reads as follows: 

Mr. C. H. Erwin, 

President Omaha Branch , Railway Mail Association , Omaha , Nebr. 

Your favor of the 16th instant extending an invitation to the executive committee to 
hold the twenty-first annual convention at Omaha was received, and same is hereby 
accepted. I am glad that the convention will be held in Omaha for two or three 




38 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


reasons, the principal one of which is that Omaha has a live branch and a large one, 
and is so located that the traveling expenses for the delegates will be less for that point 
than for any other in the division except, of course. Council Bluffs. 

Geo. W. Batson. 

Again, under date of January 9, Mr. Batson writes as follows: 

Mr. C. H. Erwin, 

President Omaha Branch , Railway Mail Association, Omaha , Nebr. 

The twenty-first annual convention of the sixth division will be held in Omaha not 
less than 30 days prior to the national convention. 

Geo. W. Batson. 

This letter has the appearance of being a carbon copy, one of which 
was probably sent to the different branches at this time. 

Under date of January 31 he writes as follows: 

The convention will be called for Wednesday, May 3. We will hold a one-day 
convention. 

Geo. W. Batson. 

This was the first intimation I had had that he wanted a date set 
at once. However, the general trend of this letter was of such a 
nature that I at once suspicioned that its author was in possession of 
certain information which misrepresented the sentiment of the 
Omaha branch. I immediately sent him a special delivery letter, 
setting April 26 as the date that would be most convenient for Omaha 
to entertain the convention. 

Mr. Batson answered from Washington, D. C., under date of Febru¬ 
ary 8, as follows: 

My Dear Erwin: Of course it was up to the division executive committee to 
finally settle the date, but as a matter of courtesy it was due you to consult with you 
about the matter. I did not know about these branch requirements or would have 
let you know about it earlier. Being pressed myself, and not hearing from you, I set 
the date for May 3, and so notified some of the branches, so that it is now too late to 
change the date" as it has been acted upon. I hope it will be satisfactory. 

Geo. W. Batson. 

Accepting this as final in regard to the date, a committee on arrange¬ 
ments was appointed to commence preparations for entertaining the 
convention on May 3. 

Then, like lightning from a clear sky, the news was flashed that the 
convention had been set for May 3 at Burlington, Iowa. 

Ordinarily the individual membership of a branch would have felt 
greatly humiliated and hurt by such treatment, but we of Omaha, being 
pioneers in the movement for reform, have been made the target for 
many such shafts in the past, and are therefore better prepared to 
endure such shocks than some others might be. 

I desire to state that since Omaha has been denied the privilege of 
entertaining the convention we know of no other place at which we 
would rather attend a convention than at Burlington. The members 
of that branch have on all occasions stood for reform in association 
affairs, and I believe when in possession of the facts in regard to the 
transfer of the convention will not approve of such an arbitrary course 
on the part of the executive committee. 

As late as February 8, the date of Mr. Batson’s last letter, which has 
been quoted from, there is no intimation that the convention will be 
held at any other place than at Omaha. But can it be that his visit 
with his Chicago friends on" the return trip from Washington had any¬ 
thing to do with the removal? Immediate!}’ thereafter rumors 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 39 


reached our ears that the place at which the convention would be held 
had not been decided upon. We refused to place credence in such 
rumors, but in the light of recent events are now forced to believe that 
the plot was hatched while Mr. Batson was in Chicago, and thereafter 
it only remained to find another place at which the convention could 
be held. 

We Ml know that Mr. Batson was elected through the influence of 
the Chicago branch. We also know that the Chicago branch has in 
the past been dominated by a few office men who never have had the 
best interests of the boys on the road at heart. With these facts in 
view I earnestly urge that you give this matter serious consideration 
before casting your vote and your influence for one who is compelled to 
surrender his own individuality to a few office men before he can be 
elected. 

I will now submit for your consideration my platform, and if upon 
this declaration of principles you can support me I will welcome and 
appreciate such support. 

I. Believing as I do that Urban A. Walter, editor of the Harpoon, 
has been of inestimable value to us in our troubles in connection with 
“slack orders” and other things, and believing it is our duty to 
recognize such loyal service, I am, therefore, in favor of making said 
Urban A. Walter editor of our official paper. If it is argued that Mr. 
Walter is too radical, I answer that he will at all times be subject to 
orders from the executive committee, who will at all times have the 
power to control the policy of the paper. 

II. Believing as I do that our national secretary should be a person 
who is in no way embarrassed in his labors for us by virtue of holding 
another position, and believing that the duties of this office are now 
onerous enough to occupy the entire time and attention of this official, 
I am therefore opposed to the reelection of George A. Wood for 
secretary. 

III. I am in favor of a sick benefit. If we can not have this without 
making our assessments too high and still retain the present $4,000 
death benefit, I am then in favor of reducing the death benefit in order 
to enable us to secure a sick benefit. 

IV. I am in favor of creating a grievance committee, whose duty 
it shall be to appear before officials of the Post Office Department or 
before Congress for the purpose of presenting any deserving complaint. 

V. I am in favor of the publication of expense accounts. 

If elected to the office of president of the sixth division, I faithfully 
promise to work and vote for the above enunciation of principles. 

Respectfully submitted this 27th day of February, 1911, at Omaha, 
Nebr. 

C. IT. Erwin. 


June 1, 1911. 

lion. Norris Brown, 

United State* Senate. 

Sir: Your letter of May 29, in behalf of C. IT. Erwin, recently a 
railway posted clerk, addressed to the Postmaster General and 
accompanied by a number of letters from citizens of Nebraska com¬ 
mending Mr. Erwin, has been referred to me. 

From these letters it appears evident that the writers are unfamiliar 
with the reasons for the action taken in Mr. Erwin’s case. It is noted 



40 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


that some of them attribute it to political activity. As a matter ol 
fact, Air. Erwin was transferred from the Railway Mail Service 
because of pernicious activity in endeavoring to foment unwar¬ 
ranted disco tent on the part of his fellow employees in the Railway 
Mail Service, and in so doing exerted an influence detrimental to the 
best interests of the service and tending to insubordination. 

Very respectfully, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


Senate of the United States, 

Committee on Patents. 

The honorable Postmaster General, 

Washington, D. C. 

Sir: I hand you herewith numerous letters with respect to C. H. 
Erwin, recently in the Railway Alail Service. These letters are from 
substantial and prominent citizens of our State, and I beg you to give 
them very considerate attention. 

Very tridy, yours, Norris Brown, 

Washington, D. C., May 29, 1911. 


National Fidelity & Casualty Co., 

Omaha, Nebr., May 26, 1911. 

Hon. Norris Brown, 

Senate Chamber, Washington, D. C. 

My Dear Senator: I have heard considerable sympathy expressed 
recently with Air. C. II. Erwin, a brother of Alessrs. Clarence Erwin 
and Oliver Erwin, of Omaha, both of whom are active and popular 
Republicans. Air. Erwin, you will recall, was recently dropped from 
the Railway Alail Service by order of the Postmaster General. Re¬ 
gardless of whatever charges may have been brought against him, 
it seems to me it is a case well deserving of reconsideration, and 1 
hope you will interest yourself in seeing that the proper rehearing 
looking toward a reinstatement is had. 

As you are aware there has been considerable agitation in the 
last few years over the treatment and condition of the railway mail 
clerks, and I believe that a reinstatement of Air. Erwin, if such a 
thing is possible, will go a long ways in Nebraska toward mollifying 
matters. 

I am personally interested in Air. Erwin, and I sincerely hope that 
you will be able to bring about his reappointment. 

With kindest regards and best wishes, I remain, 

Sincerely yours, 


Harry S. Byrne. 






DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 41 


State of Nebraska, 

Legal Department, 
Lincoln, May 22, 1911. 

I Ton. Norris Brown, 

Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir: Your letter of the 16th Instant, addressed to Judge 
Hose, relative to the reinstatement of the Erwin boys, has been 
referred to me. 

I am glad you arc making an effort to secure the reinstatement 
of these boys, particularly Chester H. Erwin. 

I wish to call your attention particularly to Chester H. Erwin, 
who has been elected president of the sixth division of railway mail 
clerks association. This organization has a membership in this 
State of about 1,500, and this does not include post-office clerks or 
carriers. It is a strong organization, and, if 1 understand it correctly, 
they are behind Mr. Erwin as a unit; otherwise he would not have 
received their almost unanimous vote for the position he holds 
after he had been discharged. 

I feel as though you ought to present this matter to Mr. Hitchcock 
in its true light, and tell him that if these men are not reinstated 
this organization will naturally be arrayed against the whole adminis¬ 
tration. Personally, I am anxious to see them reinstated for their 
own sake, and I do not wish to be confronted with this opposition 
in the coming senatorial campaign. 1 have no doubt but that 
you are disposed to do everything reasonable to bring about their 
reinstatement, but I want to urge you to keep pounding away on 
Hitchcock. 

Yours, respectfully, Grant G. Martin. 


The City National Bank, 
Lincoln, Nebr., May 10, 1911. 

Senator Norris Brown, 

Washington, l). C. 

Dear Sir: A party by the name of Chester II. Erwin, who was 
formerly a mail clerk in the railway service, was some time ago 
discharged, as you no doubt know all about by this time, on account 
of being too partisan, as I understand it. 

This man Erwin formerly lived at Lincoln, Nebr., and was in the 
cigar and tobacco business in the building In which our bank is 
located and did business with us, and I became quite well acquainted 
with him, and regarded him. as very much of a gentleman. His 
brother, Clarence Erwin, formerly worked for me, and through my 
influence have had him appointed bank examiner and have kept 
him in that position since his first appointment. He has asked me 
to write you and see if you will not do what .you can t oward having 
t ins party, Chester II. Erwin, restored to his position as mail clerk. 

You no doubt have a number of letters from the Erwins and 
possibly from others at Omaha, in which the matter has been more 
particularly explained to you, and you probably already know much 
more about the circumstances than 1 do. If such a tiling could 
be done as to have this party restored to his position, I think it 



42 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

would be no more than right, as he certainly could not have been 
very active in politics, as he never seemed to take any part here. 

1, of course, dislike to impose myself with a letter and take up 
your time, but if you can be of any service to tins party’t would be 
quite a favor to me. 

Yours, very truly, W. T. Auld. 


The Osceola Bank, 

Osceola, Nebr ., May 9,1911. 

lion. Norris Brown, 

United States Senator, Washington. 

My Dear Senator: I wish you would use your influence with the 
Post Office Department toward the reinstatement of Chester H. 
Erwin to his former position as railway mail clerk in the Omaha and 
Ogden railway mail service. The Erwin brothers are personal friends 
of mine and I should like to see Mr. Chester II. Erwin reinstated and 
given a chance to present his side of the case. 

With kindest personal regards to you, I am, cordially yours, 

E. S. Mickey. 


State of Nebraska, 

Supreme Court, 
Lincoln, May 11, 1911 . 

Hon. Norris Brown, 

Washington, D. C. 

Dear Norris: The inclosed letter from Clarence W. Erwin ex¬ 
plains itself. Grant Martin and I are very much interested in the 
reinstatement of Chester H. Erwin. Clarence is now one of the State 
bank examiners and will be an important factor during the next two 
years. Ilis brother Chester was reduced in rank without a hearing 
and I am satisfied that a wrong was done. You can probably find 
out from Hitchcock what the trouble is and may be get him a hearing 
and reinstate him in his old position. The nature of the affair will 
be shown by the inclosed clipping. If you are able to accomplish 
anything in the matter kindly write me. 

Very truly, yours, Will. 


Omaha, Nebr v May 6, 1911. 

Mr. Grant Martin, 

Attorney General, Lincoln, Nebr. 

Dear Mr. Martin: I am inclosing herewith clippings from the 
Omaha papers relative to the case of my brother which I spoke to 
you about some time ago. The fact in the case is this: On April 16, 
Chester H. Erwin, a railway mail clerk in the Omaha and Ogden 
railway mail service was transferred from the Railway Mail Service 
to the Omaha post office at a reduction of $200 per annum in salary. 
This action was taken without any specific charges being made or 
opportunity for defense given. I would ask you, together with 
Judge Rose, to use your influence with Senator Brown to induce him 
to intercede with the Post Office Department for an immediate 





DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 43 

reinstatement of my brother to his former position and salary in the 
Kail way Mail Service. I trust you and Judge Rose will see your 
clear to make this request as strong as possible and assure you 
this favor will be reciprocated when the opportunity is presented. 
This brother has always been a strong Republican and I am sure if 
the department knew the facts in the case this injustice would be 
speedily corrected. With kind regards I beg to remain, 

Very truly, yours, 

C. W. Eewin. 


DELEGATES TO MEETINGS OF THE RAILWAY MAIL CLERKS. 

Omaha delegates to the sixth division convention of the Railway 
Mail Clerks’ Association returned Thursday morning from Burlington, 
Iowa, where the convention was held Wednesday. They report a 
harmonious meeting and expect their suggestions will be adopted by 
the national association, which meets at Syracuse, N. Y., June 6. 

C. H. Erwin, of 3909 North Seventeenth Street, Omaha, was elected 
president of the organization; A. L. Cross, of St. Louis, vice president; 
and W. H. Jones, of Sioux City, secretary. Delegates to the national 
convention who were elected were J. D. Wilson, of Cedar Rapids; H. L. 
Duncan, of Burlington; Robert O’Brien, of Cheyenne; C. F. Kelley, of 
Lincoln; and J. Sewers, of Peoria, Ill. 

About a month ago Erwin was demoted from the position of a 
railway mail clerk and put in the post office and reduced in salary 
$200 for alleged pernicious political activity in connection with the 
clerks’ association. At that time he was a candidate for the office 
to which he was elected Wednesday, and it was thought his demotion 
would put him out of the running. However, he was elected to the 
office with a large majority, which came near being unanimous. 

Two months ago Mrs. Erwin was elected as a delegate to the annual 
convention of the Woman’s Club of the Railway Mail Service, which 
is an auxiliary to the Mail Clerks’ Association. They will hold their 
convention at the same time and place that the men do. Mr. and 
Mrs. Erwin will leave together, as Mr. Erwin, by virtue of his election 
to the presidency of the association, will be a delegate to the conven¬ 
tion. 


THE PUBLIC PULSE-THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

Omaha, April 17. 

To the Editor of the World-Herald: 

A few days agoC. H. Erwin, a clerk on the Omaha and Ogden railway 
post office, and R. E. Erwin, a clerk on the Omaha and Denver railway 
post office, were summarily dismissed from the Railway Mail Service, 
after a faithful service as clerks for a period of over 10 years. They 
were two of the most highly developed clerks for speed and accuracy 
in this division and were recognized as being two of the best clerks, 
generally speaking, on their respective runs. C. H. Erwin is ex¬ 
president of the local branch of the Association of Railway Mail 
Clerks and a member of the Commercial Club. At the same time 


44 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

they received notice of dismissal they were offered some sort of clerk¬ 
ship in the post offices of Omaha and Lincoln, respectively, at a 
greatly reduced salary. 

These dismissals were made arbitrarily, without any notice or oppor¬ 
tunity for the clerks to present a defense. They were simply given 
to understand that they had been too active in reforms which it is 
generally conceded are for the benefit of the service and which has 
been pressed through the Association of Railway Mail Clerks. 

It appears that there has been a great injustice done in the dis¬ 
missal of these clerks, and in order that a full investigation may be 
had and justice done this article has been written. 

Perhaps no department of the Government is so little understood 
by the average person as that department under the Postmaster 
General known as the Railway Mail Service. But it should be known 
that it takes from five to eight years to develop a clerk to the highest 
point of efficiency and requires a man of the highest mental and 
physical capacity to stand the work. In addition to his regular 
clerical duties he must study an average of about five hours per day 
during his lay-off period throughout the entire time of his service. 

With this understanding, let us see what some of the facts were 
which preceded these dismissals: 

When the present Postmaster General assumed the duties of his 
office the Railway Mail Service was one of the best organized and 
efficient machines for handling mails on railroad trains that had ever 
been built up in any country. Within two years under the present 
incumbent it had been so mismanaged and had become so disorgan¬ 
ized that it was impossible for the old force of clerks, with all their 
science of speed and accuracy, to handle the mail. Clerks were 
going “ stuck ” everywhere and mail was being carried back and 
forth over the various railroads and by circuitous routes and greatly 
delayed before finally reaching its destination. With things in this 
chaotic condition, the clerks worked to desperation, and the public 
indignant and in arms over the delay in mails, came Postmaster 
General Hitchcock’s “Take up the slack” orders. In addition to 
their already extremely exhaustive regular work and study, they 
were ordered to work overtime and to do so without pay, a thing 
heretofore unknown to the oldest clerks. When the clerks became 
ill others were ordered, in addition to their regular work and study, 
to do the work of the ill ones, and to do so without extra pay. 
“Subs," those new clerks who had not yet received regular runs, 
were required to take the places and do the work of older men when 
they became incapacitated or were off duty, and when they did so 
they did not receive the pay of the clerks whose work they were 
doing, but received only pay at the rate of $800 per year; the amount 
saved in all these cases, it seems, was turned back to the department. 
In addition to the above, regular promotions, long due under the 
rules of the service, were held up indefinitely and no intimation 
given the clerks as to when they would be made, many clerks being 
advanced to the work of higher-class positions without receiving 
the pay for the class of work they were doing. 

It should be remembered that according to the rules of the civil 
service governing railway postal clerks they are not allowed, on pain 
of immediate dismissal, to make complaint or take up grievances 
except through their immediate superiors. However, conditions in 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 45 

the service had become so unendurable to the clerks that some of 
the men on one of the runs in South Dakota refused to obey some of 
the most odious orders and were discharged in a body. But they 
were solidly backed up by their congressional delegation, business 
interests, and people generally throughout the State and most, if 
not all, were soon reinstated by the department. Many other demon¬ 
strations of like character occurred throughout the country and 
Omaha people will recall the trouble which the local clerks had about 
that time. 

At this point there was such a wave of protest from the clerks all 
over the country, expressed through their Representatives in Con¬ 
gress, business associations, and friends, that these orders were 
speedily withdrawn and other reforms asked by the clerks were 
hastily granted. 

Then the Railway Mail Service again assumed some semblance of 
its former efficiency, but in securing these concessions the depart¬ 
ment head was shown up in .no favorable light and, as it was only 
natural that some clerks were more active than others in protesting 
against these unusual conditions, the heads of some of these are now 
beginning to be lopped off. 

It is freely admitted that these clerks worked hard to secure the 
former efficiency of the service and redress for what was generally 
admitted to be just grievances of the men. The clerks of this, the 
sixth division of the Railway Mail Service, including Illinois, Iowa, 
Nebraska, and Wyoming, recognized the good work done by these 
two men and it was admitted a few days ago that the delegates to 
the annual convention, which convenes early in May, would elect 
C. H. Erwin president of the sixth division. Then came a hurried 
visit from Supt. West of Chicago to Omaha and, after hanging 
around here for a few days, during which he seemed to take an 
unusual interest in the coming election of the sixth division, and 
especially its coming president, he returned to Chicago and the dis¬ 
missal of these two clerks from the Railway Mail Service followed. 

Inquiry at the chief clerk’s offices of Omaha and Lincoln brought 
the response that they had no further information than what came 
in the orders of dismissal, and from the Lincoln office was volunteered 
the information that the order “came like a clap of thunder.” 

It appears that other clerks who were active are expecting to feel 
the assassin’s ax if too much fuss is not made over those dismissals, 
and it is understood that something like 1,000 old clerks throughout 
the country are to feel the eTects of urging the return of normal con¬ 
ditions in the service and justice to the clerks. It is naturally pre¬ 
sumed that these dismissals or reductions will come two or three at a 
time* and of course on the s-s-h order, depending on how much of a 
disturbance the public creates over the decapitated ones. 

There is a shortage of good clerks now in this territory and these 
clerks who were dismissed were among the most expert in this divi¬ 
sion, and had given the best years of their lives to the service and its 
betterment; they each have families, are hard-working men, and 
thoroughly respected and honored bv their fellow clerks. 

It looks like Postmaster General Hitchcock was peeved because his 
disorganizing methods in the service were shown up and he was com¬ 
pelled to back up so ungracefully from his position a few weeks ago; 
and that he was going to give an exhibition now of the power he has, 


46 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

while he has it, as a sort of “growler” to terrorize other timid clerks 
in the future, and prevent them from complaining of conditions in 
the Railway Mail Service, regardless of how unjust to the men or de¬ 
moralizing to the service. 

It appears to the writer that these dismissals are of the utmost 
importance to the public in general, entirely outside the question of 
justice to the clerks concerned, because the service is and has been 
during most of Postmaster General Hitchcock’s administration in a 
notoriously demoralized and unsatisfactory condition. Mail takes 
much longer to reach its destination than formerly and the service 
certainly needs all the expert clerks it has. 

This matter should be taken up by such organizations as the Com¬ 
mercial Club, Ad Club, labor organizations, political clubs, and people 
generally, and Representatives in Congress should be urged to insist 
on the immediate reinstatement of these clerks and demand a full 
investigation without delay, for railway mail clerks can not be 
made in a day, and when once the service is weakened by the lack of 
experienced and expert clerks, in addition to its present poorly organ¬ 
ized condition, it will take some capable man years to rebuild it to 
its former normal efficiency. 

I might say further that Senator La Follette considers tlie matter 
so serious that he is personally corresponding with mail clerks through¬ 
out the country, assuring them that their identity will not be divulged 
to the Post Office Department, in order to get true expressions from 
them of existing conditions in the Railway Mail Service. 

A Business Man. 


POSTAL DEMORALIZATION. 

Over the signature, “A Business Man,” the World-Herald prints 
to-day an enlightening communication dealing with the demoralized 
condition of the Railway Mail Service. The space it takes to print 
this letter would not be accorded were it not for the general impor¬ 
tance of the subject. 

The post office is the one department of Government with which the 
ordinary citizen comes daily in direct contact. Under the complex 
conditions of modern life the mails have become a prime necessity. 
Y\ hen the administration of the Post Office Department is hopelessly 
inefficient, as it is now, every section of the country, every business 
man, almost every citizen, daily feels the effect of it. 

At the head of the department is a “master politician.” He is 
conducting the department as an adjunct of the Republican Party, 
as a stepladder whereon the Taft administration may climb to a 
second term. Its business efficiency is not only neglected, but 
deliberately slighted. Never within a generation has the ordinary 
man had so many just complaints to lodge against the management 
of the mails as he has to-day. 

The treatment that, under this policy, has just been accorded two 
railway mail clerks who live in Omaha is outrageous. Read the 
letter referred to and you will the better understand, not only this 
particular case, but the seriousness of the whole situation. It is 
indeed a matter with which the people generally should acquaint 
themselves in order that, at the proper time, they may take effective 
action. 



DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 47 


THIRD MAIL CLERK IS REDUCED IN SALARY—CHARLES P. RODMAN 

TAKEN OFF RUN AND CUT $200 YEAR IN HIS PAY—PUT IN OMAHA 

POST OFFICE. 

Charles P. Rodman, another Omaha mail clerk, has been demoted 
and salary reduced $200, as a result of his recent activity in the 
agitation of the postal clerks against the working conditions. He 
has been taken off his run, the Omaha-Ogden line, and placed in 
the Omaha post office at a salary of $1,200 per year. 

Mr. Rodman resides at 3225 Pratt Street and has been active in 
the campaign of the clerks for higher wages and better working con¬ 
ditions. He is the third Omaha clerk to feel the “big stick” of the 
department, C. H. and R. E. Erwin, brothers, having been reduced 
in salary each $200 for their “pernicious political activity.” 

R. E. Erwin has sent in his resignation and did not go to work in 
the Omaha post office as ordered. 

No action has yet been taken by the Omaha clerks in regard to the 
reductions. That several others will feel the heavy hand of the 
department is the opinion of many clerks. 

Omaha clerks are not the only ones to suffer, as in other cities 
clerks are also being reduced for the same reasons. 


Erwin Hand and Investment Co., 

Omaha, Nebr ., April 17, 1911. 

Hon. Norris Brown, 

Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir: Two of my brothers, C. II. Erwin and R. E. Erwin, 
were dismissed from the Railway Mail Service some days ago for no 
other reason than what was in fact merely a little petty politics in 
the department. At the time they were offered minor clerkships 
in the post offices of Omaha and Lincoln at reduced salaries. 

I am just leaving for a trip to Texas and have not the time to write 
fully, but will do so later. However, I inclose a clipping that will 
give you an idea of the facts. Their removal was most unjust, and I 
hope that you will use your best endeavors to have them reinstated 
at once. I have also written Senator Hitchcock. 

Yours, respectfully, 

(). S. Erwin. 


Erwin Land and Investment Co, 

Omaha, Nebr., May 1, 1911. 

Hon. Norris Brown, 

Washington, D. O. 

Dear Sir: I have just received your letter relative to my brothers 
who were dismissed from the mail service a short time ago. There 
certainly is an intense feeling here among the mail clerks, and in fact 
a lot of other people here over the beastly way these clerks were 
treated. 

The matter has been confined so far to yourself and Senator Hitch¬ 
cock, but I have no doubt but that prominent men throughout the 




48 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


State could be very much interested in their case if it becomes neces¬ 
sary to appeal to them. There is one thing sure, the friends and rela¬ 
tives of these two men will not permit them to lie under this abuse 
without fighting it out to the last ditch. 

If you find that there is nothing you can do I should be glad to have 
you advise me at your earliest convenience. 

Yours, respectfully, O. S. Erwin. 

T\ S. An editorial in one of the daily papers of this city has just 
been called to my attention, and I inclose it. 


Post Office Department, 

Office of the 

Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Division of Railway Mail Service, 

Washington, D. C., June 22, 1911. 

Respectfully submitted to the Second Assistant Postmaster Gen¬ 
eral for his information. 

In re C. II. Erwin case. 

Theo. Ingalls, 
General Superintendent. 


Post Office Department, 

Office of the 

Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Division of Railway Mail Service, 

Washington, 1). C., June 26, 1911. 

Respectfully submitted to the Second Assistant Postmaster General 
for consideration in connection with papers forwarded you under 
date of the 22d instant, Railway Mail Service files 50919. 

Theo. Ingalls, 
General Superintendent. 


Railway Mail Service, 

Office of Superintendent Sixth Division, 

Chicago, 111., June 19, 1911. 

Respectfully referred to General Superintendent Railway Mail 
Service, Washington, D. C., in connection with my letter concern¬ 
ing some correspondence about C. Id. Erwin, which was transmitted 
to vour office on June 15th. 

E. L. West, 
Superintendent. 


Omaha, Nebr., June 16, 1911. 

Mr. E. L. West, 

Superintendent Railway Mail Service, Chicago, 111. 

Dear Sir : I hereby certify that Mr. C. II. Erwin was a member 
of my crew prior to April 17, 1911, and I am glad to say that his 
deportment was excellent at all times. He cheerfully responded to 
any calling I ever made upon him for extra work, and I have never 






DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 49 

heard him offer criticism of the orders of myself or any other imme¬ 
diate superior. 

To my knowledge Mr. Erwin has been decidedly opposed to the 
formation of secret organizations or affiliation with the American 
Federation of Labor, and I have heard him so express himself on 
different occasions to and among fellow employees. 

I believe Mr. Erwin to be loyal to his work and to his superiors, 
and I further state that in my opinion he is not an agitator or has not 
attempted to foment discontent on the part of fellow employees. 
Yours, very respectfully, 

G. G. Whitmore, 

Clerk in Charge, Omaha and Ogden, E. D. 


Omaha, Nebr., June 16, 1911. 

Mr. E. L. West, 

Superintendent Railway Mail Service, 

Chicago, III. 

Dear Sir: I am herewith inclosing you statement of Mr. White- 
more, who was my clerk in charge when I was transferred to the 
Omaha post office. 

You have already received a statement from Mr. Mettlen, my chief 
clerk. I request that you add as strong a letter as you may think I 
am entitled to and forward the statement of Mr. Mettlen and Mr. 
Whitemore, together with your own, to the honorable Second Assist¬ 
ant Postmaster General. 

My object is to secure reinstatement to my former position and 
salary in the Railway Mail Service. 

This mode of procedure has not been attempted without the knowl¬ 
edge and consent of Mr. Stewart. While in Syracuse I talked this 
matter over with him and he gave his consent for me to proceed in 
this manner. 

If in doubt as to the propriety of this course, I refer you to Mr. J. A. 
Warren, who is in possession ol the facts. 

Allow me to thank you in advance for your kindness and to wish 
you success in the future. 

Yours, very respectfully, C. H. Erwin. 


Railway Mail Service, 

Office of Superintendent Sixth Division, 

Chicago, 111., June 16, 1911. 

The General Superintendent Railway Mail Service, 

Washington, I). C. 

Sir: Mr. J. A. Warren called at this office to-day and told me that 
while in Syracuse attending the convention he was given an interview 
with the honorable the Second Assistant Postmaster General, and at 
this meeting there were present besides Mr. Stewart and himself Mr. 
Mains and Mr. Erwin. 

Mr. Warren tells me that Mr. Stewart said that if there should be 
submitted a report from Chief Clerk Mettlen concerning Mr. Erwin 
S. Doc. 1130, 62-3-4 





50 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


which would give his personal opinion of Erwin as to how deeply he 
was involved in fomenting any discontent and dissatisfaction that 
prevailed among the Omaha and Ogden clerks at that time, and il 
it could be shown that Erwin’s acts were not as radical as had been 
represented he would consider these papers if they were submitted to 
him through the proper official channels. 

The papers I am submitting from Chief Clerk Mettlen speak for 
themselves. I can personally say for Mr. Erwin that perhaps a year 
or such a matter ago I did consider Erwin somewhat radical in his 
views and expressions. Since that time I have seen him a number of 
times and I have found a decided change in his mode of speech and 
in his manner of expressing himself so far as the department and the 
clerks are concerned. 

I do not believe that Erwin can be called a radical, and in fact when 
he became involved in the proceedings that took place at Omaha I 
think he was more forced into doing what he did than from any feeling 
that it was right. 

Erwin was always a good and efficient clerk and I believe he will 
work heartily in accord with the department in any matters that may 
come up for his consideration. 

If it is deemed proper hereafter to return Erwin to this service I think 
what he has gone through will be such a lesson to him that it will 
result in good not only to him but to all of the clerks who understand 
the circumstances that surround his case. 


Respectfully, 


E. L. West, Superintendent. 


Railway Mail Service, 

Office of Chief Clerk, 

Omaha , Nebr., June 14, 1911. 

Mr. E. L. West, 

Superintendent, Chicago. 

Dear Sir: Mr. Chester H. Erwin, formerly a clerk of class 5, $1,400, 
Omaha & Ogden Railway post office, ancl demoted to the $1,200 
grade and assigned to the Omaha post office commencing April 7, 1911, 
makes a verbal request that I advise you by letter as to my opinion 
regarding his action as president of the Omaha branch Railway Mail 
Association, and as a railway postal clerk, as to the effect on other 
clerks in creating dissatisfaction and discontent detrimental to the 
best interests of the service, it being understood that in an interview 
between the honorable vSecond Assistant Postmaster General and 
Mr. Erwin at Syracuse, N. Y., during the Railway Mail Association 
convention, that the honorable Second Assistant Postmaster General 
suggested that he request such a letter be forwarded through official 
channels. 

I have to state that I have had no reason to change my report 
to you under date of April 12, 1911, in connection with corre¬ 
spondence regarding Mr. Erwin’s candidacy for president of the sixth 
division Railway Mail Association. (Copies of my indorsements on 
such correspondence are inclosed.) I would further state that during 
his term as president of the Omaha branch Railway Mail Association, 
1910-11, he called on me several times for information and possible 



DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 51 

advice in connection with matters pertaining to the Railway Mail 
Association and local conditions affecting railway postal clerks. In 
each instance he gave me the impression that he desired to cooperate 
with the department and, if possible, hold the radicals in check. 

In conclusion, my confidential letter of April 1 and indorsement 
of April 12, 1911, as per copies inclosed, indicated my opinion at that 
time, and, as before stated, I have had no reason to change same since. 
Respectfully, 

W. J. Mettlen, Chief Cleric. 


Omaha, April 12, 1911. 

Respectfully referred to superintendent Railway Mail Service, 
sixth division, Chicago, Ill. 

In connection with papers inclosed herewith pertaining to C. H. 
Erwin’s candidacy for president sixth division Railway Mail Associa¬ 
tion, would say that in conversation at the time he delivered his 
reply he did not believe it would be wise for him to withdraw his 
candidacy for this position unless the department insisted, believing 
that such action would result in the election of someone not in the 
Railway Mail Service, as such action has already been considered, 
and he stated that he had been criticized by the clerks for not taking 
a more radical position. Personally, I believe it is Mr. Erwin’s 
intention to comply with his letter of April 10 so far as it is possible. 

W. J. Mettlen, Chief Cleric. 


Division of Railway Mail Service, 

Office of Chief Clerk, 
Omaha, Nebr., April 1, 1911. 

Mr. E. L. West, 

Superintendent, Chicago. 

Dear Sir: During a recent interview with Chester H. Erwin, 
president of the local branch of the Railway Mail Association, a 
candidate for president of the sixth division, he stated to me that in 
the event of his election it would be his policy to conduct the affairs 
of the sixth division association in harmony with the orders and 
desires of the department, believing that the most good would be 
obtained for all concerned by friendly cooperation with the depart¬ 
ment officials; that while his platform, of which you have probably 
received a copy, may indicate in some respects a different attitude, 
the above is his desire. 

Mr. Erwin requested that I communicate this information to you 
in a confidential manner. 

Respectfully, W. J. Mettlen, Chief Cleric. 




52 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


DISCONTINUANCE. 

The discontinuance of the pay and services of W. Hall, railway 
postal clerk, class 5, with pay at the rate of $1,500 per annum, be¬ 
tween Omaha and Chadron, Nebr., is hereby recommended. (Trans¬ 
ferred to Omaha, Nebr., post office.) Pay office: Omaha, Nebr. 

Tiieo Ingalls, 
General Superintendent. 

Ordered: 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


Division of Railway Mail Service, 

Omaha , Nebr., March 15, 1911. 


Hon. Alexander Grant, 

General Superintendent, 

Railway Mail Service, Washington, D. C. 


Dear Sir: Referring to your message of March 12 directing that 
I advise as to any movement at Omaha to organize a secret organiza¬ 
tion in the Railway Mail Service, and which was answered by wire 
last evening. 

Would further advise that as stated in message there has been no 
concerted movement along these lines. The matter I understand 
has been discussed and probably favored by a few of the more radical 
clerks, but I am quite positive it is not the sentiment of the majority 
of the clerks at this time. 

The members of the Railway Mail Association are having quite a 
spirited contest in connection with their coming annual election, and 
I am inclosing herewith for your information, copies of platforms on 
which various candidates are seeking election, which will to a certain 
extent indicate to you what the clerks have in mind along the lines 
for which you are making inquiry. 

Respectfully, 


W. J. Mettlin, 

Chief Clerk. 


March 31, 1911. 

Mr. Grant: I am returning herewith the letter of Chief Clerk Mett¬ 
lin, of the 15th instant, addressed to you, inclosing two printed cir¬ 
culars, one purporting to be signed by J. I. Negley, Omaha and Ogden 
Railway Post Office, and the other by William Hall, Omaha and 
Chadron Railway Post Office. You are directed to ascertain imme¬ 
diately whether each of these persons is responsible for the circular 
bearing his name, and return the same at once. 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 




DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 53 


Office of the Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Division of Railway Mail Service, 

Washington, D. C., April 1, 1911. 

Respectfully referred to superintendent Railway Mail Service, 
sixth division, Chicago, Ill. 

Please ascertain promptly if Clerks Negley and Hall are responsible 
for the circulars bearing their names. 

G. F. Stone, 

Acting General Superintendent. 


Division of Railway Mail Service, 

Chicago , III., April 3, 1911. 

Respectfully referred to chief clerk Railway Mail Service, Omaha, 
Nebr. 

Please note carefully papers under files 44389 and ascertain prompt¬ 
ly if Clerks Negley and Hall*are responsible for the circulars bearing 
their names. 

E. L. West, Superintendent. 


Railway Mail Service, 

Omaha, April If., 1911. 

William Hall, Postal Citric: 

Referring to circular dated March 11 in connection with your candi¬ 
dacy for president of the Omaha Branch Railway Mail Association. 
With return of this letter will you kindly advise if this circular was 
prepared and circulated by you % 

W. J. Mettlen, Chief Clerk. 


Railway Mail Service, 

Omaha, April If, 1911. 

William Hall, Postal Clerk: 

Referring to circular dated March 11 in connection with your can¬ 
didacy for president of the Omaha Branch Railway Mail Association. 
With return of this letter will you kindly advise if this circular was 
prepared and circulated by you ? 

-, Chief Clerk. 


Railway Mail Service, 

April 7, 1911. 

W. J. Mettlen, 

Chief Clerk, Omaha, Nebr. 

Dear Sir: Circular referred to was prepared by me and mailed 
to members of the Omaha branch, Railway Mail Association. 

Very respectfully, 

W. Hall, Postal Clerk, 
Omaha and Chadron. 







54 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


Railway Mail Service, 

Omaha, April 8, 1911. 

Superintendent Railway Mail Service, 

Sixth Division, Chicago, III. 

Returning herewith all correspondence under department files 
44389, Negley-Hall, platform of, in which I am inclosing copy of inquiry 
to clerks Neglev and Hall in accordance with department instructions 
and their reply thereto in which it will be noted that in each case 
they state that circular letter was prepared and mailed by them to 
members of the Omaha Branch Railway Mail Association. 

W. J. Mettlen, Chief Clerk. 


Railway Mail Service, 

Chicago III-., April 13, 1911. 

Respectfully referred to General Superintendent Railway Mail . 
Service, Washington, D. C. 

Referring to your indorsement of April 1, directing that we ascer¬ 
tain promptly from clerks Negley and Hall, of Omaha, as to responsi¬ 
bility for issuance of circulars bearing their names relative to their 
candidacy for office in the Railway Mail Association: 

I am returning herewith statement from both clerks, Negley and 
Hall, to the effect that the circulars were prepared and mailed by 
them to members of the Omaha branch, Railway Mail Service. 
Their personal statements are herewith inclosed. 

W. C. Van Dervoort, 

Acting Superintendent. 


August 14, 1912. 

Memorandum for the Postmaster General. 

In response to your request for a memorandum concerning the case 
of William Hall, 1 have to inform you that on April 1, 1911, a circular 
letter was received which purported to be the platform upon which 
Mr. Hall requested support of his candidacy for president of the 
Omaha branch of the Railway Mail Association and in which he 
indorsed the Harpoon. The copy of the circular letter though orig¬ 
inally with the papers does not now appear in the file and has not 
been found. “The Harpoon” was a periodical which was published 
for circulation principally among the railway postal clerks and was 
devoted to flagrantly false representations of the facts of the Railway 
Mail Service, the Postmaster General, and other officers of the service, 
and whose influence upon the personnel of the service tended to 
insubordination and disloyalty. There were conditions in the 
Railway Mail Service at that time by reason of which summary 
action was believed necessary in such cases. 

Subsequently Mr. Hall admitted that he was responsible for the 
preparation and distribution of this circular. The General Superin¬ 
tendent of Railway Mail Service recommended that he be reduced one 
grade and transferred to a post office. On July 10, 1911, the following 




DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 55 


memorandum was prepared by the Second Assistant Postmaster 
General and approved by the Postmaster General July 13, 1911: 

Ii appears that railway postal clerk \\ illiam Hall, of the Omaha and ('hadron Rail¬ 
way Post Office, has been active in fomenting unwarranted discontent on the part of 
his iellow employees in the Railway Mail Service and in exerting an influence detri¬ 
mental to the best interests of the service, tending to insubordination. I therefore 
have the honor to recommend that he be transferred to the Omaha, Nebr., post office, 
or some near-by post office, with reduction in salary. 

On July 28, 1911, an order was issued discontinuing the service of 
Mr. Hall as a railway postal clerk at $1,500 per annum and he was 
transferred to the Omaha, Nebr., post office at $1,200 per annum. 
On August 4, 1911, Mr. ITall requested a restoration to the Railway 
Mail Service and he was advised by the general superintendent that it 
would be impracticable to give favorable consideration to his request 
in view of the circumstances surrounding his transfer to the Omaha 
post office. 

Under date of March 16, 1912, Representative Lobeck, of Nebraska, 
called at this office and also addressed a communication to the 
Postmaster General with reference to the reduction of Mr. Hall and 
certain other clerks. Mr. Lobeck was informed in a letter of the same 
date that the action taken was deemed to be necessary for the good 
of the service and the facts were such as to preclude consideration of 
their reinstatement. 


Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Washington , D. C., April 15, 1911. 

Respectfully forwarded to the Second Assistant Postmaster General 
with the information desired. 

Clerks J. I. Negley, of the Omaha and Ogden railway post office, 
and William Hall of the Omaha and Chadron railway post office, admit 
they were responsible for the circulars, copies of which accompanied 
your memorandum of March 31. 

Theo. Ingalls, 
General Superintendent. 


July 10, 1911. 

Memorandum for the Postmaster General. 

It appears that Railway Postal Clerk William Hall, of the Omaha 
and Ogden railway post office, has been active hi fomenting unwar¬ 
ranted discontent on the part of his fellow employees in the Railway 
Mail Service and in exerting an influence detrimental to the best 
interests of the service, tending to insubordination. I therefore have 
the honor to recommend that he be transferred to the Omaha (Nebr.) 
post office, or some near-by post office, with reduction in salary. 

j 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 

Approved: 

> 

Postmaster General. 








56 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


Post Office Department, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Washington , July 10, 1911. 
Memorandum for The Postmaster General. 

It appears that Railway Postal Clerk William Hall, of the Omaha 
and Chadron railway post office, has been active in fomenting unwar¬ 
ranted discontent on the part of his fellow employees in the Railway 
Mail Service and in exerting an influence detrimental to the best 
interests of the service, tending to insubordination. I therefore 
have the honor to recommend that he be transferred to the Omaha 
(Nebr.) post office, or some near-by post office, with reduction in 
salary. 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 

Approved July 13, 1911: 

F. H. Hitchcock, 

Postmaster General. 


July 15, 1911. 

The First Assistant Postmaster General, 

Division of Salaries and Allowances. 

Sir : The Postmaster General has authorized the transfer of Railway 
Postal Clerk William Hall of the Omaha (Nebr.) and Chadron (Nebr.) 
railway post office to the Omaha (Nebr.) post office or some near-by 
post office, with reduction in salary. Clerk Hall receives a salary of 
$1,500 per annum. 

Will you kindly inform this office when the transfer can be macie in 
order that his services as a railway postal clerk may be discontinued. 
Respectfully, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


Postmaster, Omaha, Nebr. 


July 26, 1911. 


Sir: The Postmaster General directs the transfer of William Hall 
from the position of clerk at $1,500 a year in the sixth division of the 
Railway Mail Service to that of clerk at $1,200 a year in your office, 
and the Civil Service Commission has issued a certificate for his 
transfer. 

You are therefore authorized to transfer Mr. Hall to the above- 
named position, as an additional clerk, effective August 1, 1911. 

Please report his transfer on Form C-202 (in triplicate). 

It is suggested that you confer with the division superintendent 
of the Rahway Mail Service in regard to this transfer. 

Respectfully, 


C. P. Grandfield, 
First Assistant Postmaster General. 





DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


57 


Post Office Department, 

First Assistant Postmaster General, 

Washington , July 26, 1911. 
Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Division of Railway Mail Service. 

Sir: Phis office is in receipt of a civil-service certificate for the 
transfer of William Hall from the position of clerk at $1,500 a year 
in the sixth division of the Railway Mail Service to that of clerk at 
$1,200 a year in the post office at Omaha, Nebr., and the postmaster 
has been authorized to transfer him to this position, effective August 
1, 1911. Please issue the necessary instructions to the division super¬ 
intendent to relieve Mr. Hall from duty in the Railway Mail Service. 

Respectfully, 


C. P. Grandfield, 
First Assistant Postmaster General. 


July 28, 1911. 

The Superintendent Railway Mail Service, 

Chicago, 111. 

Sir: Referring to the order discontinuing the services of William 
Hall of the Omaha and Chadron railway post office, I have to 
advise that he will be transferred, with reduction to $1,200 per 
annum, to the Omaha (Nebr.) post office. This action is taken 
because he has been active in fomenting unwarranted discontent 
on the part of his fellow employees in the Railway Mail Service 
and in exerting an influence detrimental to the best interests of the 
service. 

Respectfully, -, 

General Superintendent. 


Omaha, Nebr., August J, 1911. 

Hon. Theodore Ingall, 

General Superintendent Railway Mail Service, 

Washington, D. C. 

My Dear Sir: 1 am in receipt of departmental order reducing 
me from $1,500 to $1,200 per year and changing my assignment 
from the Omaha and Chadron railway post office to the Omaha 
post office, and as I was not given a chance to be heard or know 
who preferred charges or furnished such information that would 
warrant such action, I beg leave to submit the following for such 
consideration as you deem wise. 

While it is not very clear, it would seem that my demotion was 
the result of my connection with the Railway Mail Association; 
that being the case, I will give the history of my membership in 
that organization. 

At the time of the organization of the Railway Mail Association 
I did not join, for I did not think it should be necessary for railway 
postal clerks to organize to secure a proper recognition of their 
services. Some time later I was asked by an official, unofficially, 
why I did not belong to the Railway Mail Association. I then 
stated my conclusion as given above. His reply was, “I am sure 
your superintendent (which was then Mr. Troy) would be pleased 





58 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


to have you join.” Soon after I became a member. My member¬ 
ship continued until recently. Last March I was prevailed upon, 
by what I then considered and what has since proved to be the 
conservative element of clerks at this point to stand for the presi¬ 
dency of the Omaha Branch Railway Mail Association, and I pre¬ 
pared a circular, mailing one to every member of the Omaha branch, 
including our chief clerk and his assistant. Some weeks after J 
received a note from my chief clerk asking if I had prepared and 
mailed the circular in question. I answered that I had, and went 
directly to my chief clerk and asked him why I had received the note, 
and his reply was, “I have been asked for the information.” 1 
then asked him if there was any and what were the objectionable 
features. His reply was that he did not know and that he could not 
see anything wrong with it. Some few days later Supt. West was 
in the city and I again asked my chief clerk if Supt. West had stated 
what the objectionable features might be, and his answer was, he 
does not know. 1 then felt if my superintendent and chief clerk 
could not state the objectionable parts of the circular there must 
not be any. Supt. West made a number of trips to Omaha and 
did not inform me where I had erred. I have since thought it was 
possible that my indorsement of the Harpoon might have been 
considered, but it was not considered an offense a short time before, 
as only a few months before my subscription to the Harpoon had 
been taken by a clerk assigned the duty in the office of my chief 
clerk, and 1 was asked to sign owing to the fight then carried on 
through its columns for more sanitary condition of mail cars, which 
reform I was much interested in. High officials in our service have 
since stated publicly and officially that the sanitary conditions of 
the cars was bad at that time. 

1 have at no time furnished any information whatever, directly or 
indirectly, for the columns of the Harpoon or for the use of the editor. 
The correspondence I have had with Mr. Walter has been of a business 
nature, renewing my subscription and recently taking out an acci¬ 
dent insurance policy, as by taking it through him I got a preferred 
rate. I have at no time advised in any way the policy of the paper, 
nor have I at any time taken subscriptions for the same. Had I at 
any time been apprised by my superiors that the above stated con¬ 
nection with the Harpoon was obnoxious to the department, I would 
have ceased same at once. 

Some four months ago I received a letter from my chief clerk, 
asking if I had written a certain article appearing in the Omaha 
World-Herald, or did I know who had written the article. I can not 
state too emphatically, while I appear unfortunate to be under sus¬ 
picion of wrongdoing, that 1 did not write the article nor have I at 
any time, directly or indirectly, furnished anything to the press per¬ 
taining to the mail service. 

Some months ago I came to the conclusion that the local organi¬ 
zation of the Railway Mail Association under the present conditions 
which show a lack of conservatism was not beneficial to the best 
interest of all concerned and having procured other insurance at 
a low rate, I resigned on July 19 as vice president of the Omaha 
branch and also my membership in the Railway Mail Association. 
This action was taken because 1 had reluctantly come to the con¬ 
clusion there were many aspiring to hold official positions in the 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 59 

Railway Mail Association, pledging to do certain things, if elected, 
that were antagonistic to the best interests of the service and things 
they could not hope to carry out. The failure to make good on 
these, pledges created distrust and dissatisfaction in the rank and file 
of the clerks. 

I have at all times opposed the organization of a secret brotherhood 
or union among railway postal clerks. My position in the matter 
has been well known. 

^ After having spent over 24 years of the best part of my life in the 
Railway Mail Service, during which time I have always endeavored 
to give my best efforts to my work and I have at all times taken an 
interest in the service, believing that so long as I did these things 
my position was secure and it was very hard for me to understand 
that I have committed any act that justifies the punishment that has 
been given me. 

During these 24 years I have married and have my wife and four 
children, three of whom axe dependent on my support and 1 am 
endeavoring to the best of my ability to give them the education that 
will make them good and useful citizens of these United States, but 
you can see how much my efforts in this direction have been curtailed 
and just what it means to me and my loved ones in the reduction 
of my income to the extent of about $1 per day. 

Believing that a reconsideration of the offense that caused my 
demotion will show the punishment to be most extraordinarily 
severe, I submit this statement for such attention as you may deem 
wise to give it. 

Very respectfully, W. Hall. 


Railway Mail Service, 

Omaha , August 9, 1911. 

Respectfully referred to superintendent, Railway Mail Service, sixth 
division, Chicago, Ill. 

Transmitting herewith letter from William Hall, late of the Omaha 
and Chadron railway post office, demoted and assigned to the Omaha 
post office, addressed to the honorable general superintendent. Re- 
ferring to that part of his letter wherein he states that his subscription 
to the Harpoon was taken by a clerk assigned to duty in the chief 
clerk’s office, I have to state that this refers to Roderick G. Roberts, 
who resigned March 5, 1911. While the subscription referred to was 
taken prior to the time I assumed the duties of chief clerk, I am con¬ 
fident that it was done without the knowledge or consent of my prede¬ 
cessor, Mr. Keller; neither had I, as assistant chief clerk, any knowl¬ 
edge of the fact at that time. 

W. J. Mettlen, Chief Clerk. 


Railway Mail Service, 

Chicago , 111., August 10, 1911. 

Respectfully referred to General Superintendent Railway Mail Serv¬ 
ice, Washington, D. C. 

Respectfully submitting letter from William Hall, recently demoted 
and transferred to the Omaha post office. Also inviting attention to 
the remarks of Chief Clerk Mettlen. 

E. L. West, Superintendent. 




60 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


September 12, 1911. 

Mr. William Hall, Omaha, Nebr. 

Sir: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of 
the 4th instant, addressed to me and forwarded through the chief 
clerk, Railway Mail Service, at Omaha, and the division superintend¬ 
ent at Chicago, with reference to your reduction and transfer to the 
Omaha post office. 

Respectfully, -, 

General Superintendent. 


September 12, 1911. 

Memorandum for the Second Assistant Postmaster General. 

Submitted herewith is a communication from Mr. William Hall, 
through the chief clerk at Omaha and the division superintendent at 
Chicago. Ill., relative to his reduction and transfer to the Omaha post 
office. 

I recommended that he be not reinstated in the Rad way Mail 
Service. 


General Superintendent. 


Post Office Department, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Washington, September 12, 1911. 
Memorandum for the Second Assistant Postmaster General. 

Submitted herewith is a communication from Mr. William Hall 
through the chief clerk at Omaha and the division superintendent at 
Chicago, Ill., relative to his reduction and transfer to the Omaha post 
office. 

I recommended that he be not reinstated in the Railway Mail 
Service. 

Theo. Ingalls, 

General Superintendent. 

September 19, 1911. 

General Superintendent r, 

Division of Railway Mail Service. 

I return your memorandum regarding the case of Mr. William Hall, 
formerly a railway postal clerk who has been transferred to the 
Omaha post office. The evidence upon which the order was made 
is not with these papers, but I think 1 recall the facts and I approve 
your recommendation that he be not reinstated. 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


September 22, 1911. 

Mr. William Hall, Omaha, Nebr. 

Sir: Replying to your communication of the 4th ultimo in which 
you make application for reinstatement in the Railway Mail Service, 
I beg to state that careful consideration has been given the matter, 








DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 61 


but in view of the circumstances surrounding your transfer to the 
Omaha post office it will be impracticable to give favorable consid¬ 
eration to your request. 

Respectfully, -, 

General Superintendent. 


House of Representatives, 

Washington , December 7, 1911. 

Hon. Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General , 

Washington , D. C. 

Dear Mr. Stewart: I am in receipt of information that William 
Hall, of South Omaha, who has served nearly 25 years as a railway 
postal clerk, was recently demoted to the Omaha post office, and his 
income reduced something more than $400 per year. I understand 
that no reason has been given for this demotion and that he is not 
at this time aware of the reason for such action. I hope you will let 
me know why this man was demoted and if such demotion has actu¬ 
ally occurred why he has not been given an opportunity to defend 
himself against such course. 

Yours, very truly, G. W. Xorris. 


Post Office Department, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Washington, December 2J, 1911. 

Hon. G. W. Norris, 

House of Representatives. 

Sir: In answer to your letter of December 7, requesting to be 
informed why William Hall, formerly a railway postal clerk in the 
Omaha and Chadron railway post office, was demoted, I beg to state 
that Mr. Hall was reduced and transferred to the Omaha, Nebr., post 
office for the reason that he was active in fomenting unwarranted 
discontent on the part of his fellow employees in the Railway Mail 
Service and in exerting an influence detrimental to the best interests 
of the service, tending to insubordination. 

When demotion is made for disciplinary reasons, as was the case 
in this instance, it is not the general practice to put the person 
against whom the action is directed on notice of that fact because it 
is entirely a matter of judgment of the superior officer, and it would 
be wholly useless to ask the employee himself whether his fitness for 
the service was sufficient to retain him in his present position. Such 
a notice is only given in cases where the removal of an employee is 
contemplated. 

Very respectfully, - 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 






62 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


Post Office Department, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Washington , December 1/+, 1911. 
Memorandum for the Second Assistant Postmaster General. 

Transmitted herewith is a draft of a proposed reply for your signa¬ 
ture to communication addressed to you under date of the 7th instant 
by Congressman George W. Norris requesting to know why William 
Hall, of South Omaha, Nebr., a railway postal clerk assigned to the 
Omaha and Chadron railway post office, was demoted and transferred 
to the Omaha post office, and also why he has not been given an 
opportunity to defend himself against such a course. 

Tiieo. Ingalls, 
General Superintendent. 


House of Representatives, 
Washington , D. C., December 21, 1911. 

Hon. Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General , Washington, D. C. 

Dear Mr. Stewart: I would respectfully call your attention to 
my letter to you dated December 7, inquiring in regard to the reasons 
for the demotion of Mr. William Hall, of South Omaha, from the 
position of railway mail clerk to a position in the Omaha post office. 

Trusting to hear from you at an early date in regard to this matter, 
I have the honor to be, 

Very respectfully, G. W. Norris. 


December 27, 1911. 

Hon. G. W. Norris, 

House of Representatives-. 

My Dear Mr. Norris: Your letters of the 7th and 21st instant, 
regarding the case of former railway postal clerk William Hall, were 
duly received. I regret very much that your earlier letter remained 
unanswered. This, however, resulted from the press of business at 
my personal desk. 

Mr. Hall was reduced and transferred to the Omaha, Nebr., post 
office for the reason that he was active in fomenting unwarranted 
discontent on the part of his fellow employees in the Railway Mail 
Service and in exerting an influence detrimental to the best interests 
of the service, tending to insubordination. This action was taken 
upon evidence as to facts relating to his conduct which were before 
me at the time, showing his active aid to those who were misrepre¬ 
senting the service and its officers and creating dissatisfaction and 
conditions of insubordination in the service. 

Sincerely, yours, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 

For other papers see case of John I. Negley. 





DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. G3 


DISCONTINUANCE. 

The discontinuance of the pay and services of John I. Negley, 
railway postal clerk, class 4, with pay at the rate of SI,300 per annum, 
between Omaha, Nebr., and Ogden, Utah, is hereby recommended. 
(Transferred to Omaha, Nebr., post office.) 

Pay office: Omaha, Nebr. 

Theo. Ingalls, 

(feneral Superintendent. 

()rdered: 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


Railway Mail Service, 

Omaha , April J, 1911. 

John I. Negley, Postal Cleric. 

Referring to circular dated March 11 in connection with your 
candidacy for president of the Omaha Branch, Railway Mail Asso¬ 
ciation. With return of this letter will you kindly advise if this 
circular was prepared and circulated by you ? 

W. J. Mettlen. Chief Clerk. 


Omaha, Nebraska, April 5, 1911. 


W. J. Mettlen, C. C., Omaha , Nebr. 

Sir: Circular referred to was prepared and mailed by me to mem¬ 
bers of the Omaha Branch, Railway Mail Association. 

Respectfully. 


John I. Negley, 

Railway Postal Clerk , 
Omaha and Ogden Railway Post Office. 

See case of Win. Hall. 


Omaha, Nebr., March 11, 1911. 

Dear Sir: 1 am a candidate for the office of president of the 
Omaha Branch Railway Mail Association, and base my request for 
your support upon the following plans for action: 

AN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN OF PUBLICITY. 

(a) Through local information committees who should report to 
the public on local conditions and correct wrong impressions. 

(jb) By hearty support of the Harpoon, I favored making Mr. 
Walter national editor, but he has absolutely declined, and both he 
and the Omaha branch have approved mv plan of requesting all 
meetings and conventions to indorse the Harpoon and declare Mr. 
Walter our honorary representative. This would place him in a 
powerful position before the public. 

(c) By keeping an aggressive, fearless man in the position of 
national editor; one not in the Government service and not our 
national secretarv. 





64 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


Our campaign for concessions should cover the subjects presented 
in the Omaha resolutions of January 26. 

I insist on our constitutional right to present our grievances and 
suggestions direct to Congress through a national grievance com¬ 
mittee. As 1 believe no Executive has authority to suspend the 
Constitution, so I believe proper publicity will force the recall of the 
Executive order. 


MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE RAILWAY MAIL ASSOCIATION. 


I feel that it is better and much easier to increase the fighting 
strength of the Railway Mail Association than to plunge at once into 
new fields and experience the hardships and delays of perfecting a 
new organization. 

1. The national secretary is employed mainly to attend to the 
insurance business is not elected as a representative of the views of 
the members, and therefore should not have a vote in the executive 
committee nor in the national convention. I propose the amend¬ 
ment- of the constitution to provide for this change. 

2. Greater power can be acquired by electing some progressive 
railway postal clerk as national secretary. I have advocated this 
for many years and my opinion in the matter is not of recent forma¬ 
tion. We now have a new editor, however, and may further curtail 
the secretary’s influence by the enactment of the measures just 
suggested; so we may materially improve our position this year, 
even if unable to dislodge Mr. Wood. Therefore I feel that we should 
give a part of our attention to other measures which are of impor¬ 
tance. 


3. The presence of officials of the mail service during the business 
sessions of our national convention acts as a damper upon the dele¬ 
gates, and I insist that division conventions should promote plans to 
limit the invitations extended to those officials so that they may ad¬ 
dress the convention, but not be present during its deliberations. 

4. Publication of expense accounts is a fundamental principle 
which it seems no fair-minded man could oppose. 

5. Provision for a sick benefit would probably be advantageous 
to most members. It would equalize our insurance and give us a 
broader protection. 

As the Harpoon has been the greatest factor in securing advantages 
for us, it shows that publicity should be our watchword and that we 
should not now rest upon our laurels, but keep moving. 

If elected I would support Omaha’s choice for division officers. 
Assuming that C. II. Erwin is Omaha’s choice for sixth division 
president, I am now supporting him. 

I have been a member of the Omaha branch for over nine years 
and have always stood for progressive, business-like action. My 
work for reform has been consistent and based on sound principles 
of good government. 

In requesting your vote I confine myself strictly to my own merits 
and the strength of the measures 1 advocate, and do not attempt to 
detract from the merits of any other candidate. 

Yours for progress, 


J. I. Negley, 

Omaha and Ogden Railway Post Office. 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 65 


April 13, 191L 

General Superintendent, 

Division of Railway Mail Service. 

Some days ago I sent your division papers regarding Clerks J. L 
Negley and William Hall, at Omaha, requesting that report be made 
as to whether they would acknowledge the authorship of certain 
printed circular letters bearing their names. Will you please expe¬ 
dite the reply ? 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General . 


Office of Second Assistant Postmaster General. 
Mr. Ingalls: 

What recommendation would vou make? 


Stewart. 


Post Office Department, 

Division of Railway Mail Service, 

Washington, D. C., May 1, 1911. 

Respectfully submitted to the Second Assistant Postmaster Gen¬ 
eral, recommending that the clerks mentioned in these papers be 
reduced one grade and transferred to post offices. 

Theo. Ingalls, 
General Superintendent. 


Post Office Department, 

Washington, July 10, 1911. 

Memorandum for the Postmaster General: 

It appears that railway postal clerk J. I. Negley, of the Omaha and 
Ogden railway post office, has been active in fomenting unwarranted 
discontent on the part of his fellow employees in the Railway Mail 
Service and in exerting an influence detrimental to the best interests 
of the service, tending to insubordination. I therefore have the 
honor to recommend that he be transferred to the Omaha, Nebr., 
post office, or some nearby post office, with reduction in salary. 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General . 

Approved July 13, 1911. 

F. H. Hitchcock, 

Postmaster General. 


July 10, 1911. 

Memorandum for the Postmaster General: 

It appears that railway postal clerk J. I. Negley, of the Omaha and 
Ogden railway post office, has been active in fomenting unwarranted 
discontent on the part of his fellow employees in the Railway Mail 
Service and in exerting an influence detrimental to the best interests 
S. Doc. 1130, 62-3-5 





66 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

of the service, tending to insubordination. I therefore have the 
honor to recommend that he be transferred to the Omaha, Nebr., 
post office, or some near-by post office, with reduction in salary. 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 

Approved: 

Postmaster General. 


July 15, 1911. 

The First Assistant Postmaster General, 

Division of Salaries and Allowances. 

Sir: The Postmaster General has authorized the transfer of Rail¬ 
way Postal Clerk J. I. Negley, of the Omaha, Nebr., and Ogden, Utah, 
railway post office, to the Omaha, Nebr., post office or some nearby 
post office, with reduction in salary. Clerk Negley receives a salary 
of $1,300 per annum. 

Will you kindly inform this office when the transfer can be made 
in order that his services as a railway postal clerk may be discon¬ 
tinued. 


Respectfully, 


Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


Post Office Department, 

Washington , July 28 , 1911. 
Second Assistant Postmaster General, 

Division of Railway Mail Service. 

Sir: This, office is in receipt of a civil service certificate for the 
transfer of the employee named below to the post office at Omaha, 
Nebr. 

The transfer will be approved to take effect on a date to be agreed 
upon by the postmaster and the division superintendent. It is there¬ 
fore asked that the necessary instructions be issued to relieve him 
from duty in the Railway Mail Service. 

Respectfully, C. P. Grandfield, 

First Assistant Postmaster General. 

Name: John I. Negley. 


July 28, 1911. 

Postmaster, Omaha, Nebr. 

Sir: The Postmaster General directs the transfer of John I. Negley 
from the position of clerk at $1,300 in the sixth division of the Rail¬ 
way Mail Service to that of clerk at $1,100 in your office, and the 
Civil Service Commission has issued a certificate for his transfer. 

You are therefore authorized to transfer Mr. Negley to the above- 
named position as an additional clerk, effective on a date to be agreed 
upon between yourself and the division superintendent of the Rail¬ 
way Mail Service. Please report his transfer on Form C-202 (in 
triplicate). 

Respectfully, C. P. Grandfield, 

First Assistant Postmaster General. 








DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 67 


July 31, 1911. 

The Superintendent, Railway Mail Service, 

Chicago, III. 

Sir: Referring to the order discontinuing the services of John I. 
Negley of the Omaha and Ogden railway post office, I have to advise 
that he will be transferred, with reduction to $1,100 per annum to a 
position in the Omaha, Nebr., post office. This action is taken 
because Mr. Negley has been active in fomenting unwarranted dis¬ 
content on the part of his fellow employees in the Railway Mail 
Service and in exerting an influence detrimental to the best interests 
of the service, tending to insubordination. 

Respectfully, -, 

General Superintendent. 


August 15, 1912. 

Memorandum for the Postmaster General: 

In response to your request for a memorandum concerning the 
case of John I. Negley, I have to inform you that on April 1 , 1911, a 
circular letter was received which purported to be the platform upon 
which Mr. Negley requested support of his candidacy for president of 
the Omaha branch of the Railway Mail Association. In the letter he 
requested the support of the clerks ‘‘upon the following plan for 
action”: 

By hearty support of the Harpoon. I favored making Mr. Walter national editor, 
but he has absolutely declined, and both he and the Omaha branch have approved 
my plan of requesting all meetings and conventions to indorse the Harpoon and declare 
Mr. Walter our honorary representative. This would place him in a powerful position 
before the public. 

The Harpoon was a periodical which was published for circulation 
principally among the railway postal clerks and was devoted to 
flagrantly false representations of the facts of the Railway Mail 
Service, the Postmaster General, and other officers of the service, and 
whose influence upon the personnel of the service tended to insub¬ 
ordination and disloyalty. There were conditions in the Railway 
Mail Service at that time by reason of which summary action was 
believed necessary in such cases. 

Subsequently Mr. Negley admitted that he was responsible for the 
preparation and distribution of this circular. The General Superin¬ 
tendent of the Railway Mail Service recommended that he be reduced 
one grade and transferred to a post office. On July 10, 1911, the 
following memorandum was prepared by the Second Assistant Post¬ 
master General and approved bv the Postmaster General July 13, 
1911: 

It appears that Railway Postal Clerk J. I. Negley, of the Omaha and Ogden railway 
post office, has been active in fomenting unwarranted discontent on the part of his 
fellow employees in the Railway Mail Service and in exerting an influence detrimental 
to the best interests of the service, tending to insubordination. I therefore have the 
honor to recommend that he be transferred to the Omaha, Nebr., post office or some 
near-by post office, with reduction in salary. 

On July 31, 1911, an order was issued discontinuing the service of 
of Mr. Negley as a railway postal clerk at $1,300 per annum, and he 
was transferred to the Omaha, Nebr., post office at $1,100 per annum. 
Under date of March 16, 1912, Representative Lobeck, of Nebraska, 





68 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

called at this office and also addressed a communication to the Post¬ 
master General with reference to the reduction of Mr. Negley and 
certain other clerks. Mr. Lobeck was informed in a letter of the same 
date that the action taken was deemed to be necessary for the good 
of the service and the facts were such as to preclude consideration 
of their reinstatement. 


Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


February 17, 1912. 

Mr. C. H. Erwin, 

Clerk in Post Office, Omaha, Nebr. 

My Dear Sir: Referring to your letter of the 8th instant, regarding 
papers filed in your behalf in the department, I have to inform you 
that they were duly received and were given consideration by me 
and are now in the files in my office. 

Very truly, yours, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


Omaha, Nebr., February 8, 1912. 

Hon. Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General, Washington, D. C. 

My Dear Mr. Stewart: Under date of June 13, 1911, I made 
application in writing to E. L. West, superintendent of sixth division, 
for a reinstatement to may former position and salary in the Railway 
Mail Service. I have never received an acknowledgment of the 
receipt of this application by Mr. West, and would like to inquire 
if it, together with the accompanying statements of Mr. Whitmore, 
have been received at your office. 

Yours, respectfully, C. H. Erwin. 


April 27, 1911. 

Sir: I am directed by the Postmaster General to acknowledge 
receipt of your letter of the 24th instant, in which you ask to be 
advised as to the cause of dismissal of Railway Postal Clerks C. H. 
Erwin and R. E. Erwin. In reply I beg to advise you that the above 
named employees have not been dismissed but steps have been taken 
in the interest of the service to transfer them to the post office at 
Omaha, Nebr. 

Very truly, yours, A. L. Davis, 

Acting Chief Clerk. 

Hon. Norris Brown, 

United States Senate, Washington, D. C. 


April 27, 1911. 

Sir: I am directed by the Postmaster General to acknowledge 
receipt of your letter of the 24th instant, in which you ask to be 
advised as to the cause of the dismissal of railway postal clerks C. II. 
Erwin and R. E. Erwin. In reply I beg to advise you that the above- 
named employees have not been dismissed, but steps have been taken 









DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 69 


in the interest of the service to transfer them to the post office at 
Omaha, Nebr. 

Very truly, yours, A. L. Davis, 

Acting Chief Cleric. 

Hon. G. M. Hitchcock, 

United States Senate, Washington , I). C. 


Committee on Patents, 

Senate of the United States, 

Washington , D. C., April 24 , 1911. 

The Postmaster General, 

Washington, D. C. 

Sir: he are advised that C. H. Erwin and R. E. Erwin were dis¬ 
missed from the Railway Mail Service some days ago and we are 
anxious to learn the reason for such dismissal. These men bear a 
good reputation in the community where they reside and are popu¬ 
larly supposed to be efficient and honorable officials. Assuring you 
that we do not desire to oppose the dismissal of any unworthy 
employee, we are anxious that the department shall make no mistake 
and unjustly dismiss an employee who is worthy and well qualified. 
Any information you may give us on the subject will be very much 
appreciated. 

Yours, very truly, Norris Brown. 

G. M. Hitchcock. 


Post Office Department, 
Washington, August 28, 1911. 
Memorandum for the Postmaster General: 

Upon papers indicating that C. H. Erwin, railway postal clerk in 
the Omaha and Ogden railway post office, had been perniciously 
active in endeavoring to foment discontent on the part of his fellow 
employees in the Railway Mail Service, it was ordered by you on 
April 3, 1911, that he be reduced to $1,200 and assigned to the Omaha 
post office. This order was promptly carried out. 

So far as the papers in my files are concerned my judgment in the 
matter was based upon a circular letter issued by Mr. Erwin, which 
purported to be his platform upon which he was running for the office 
of president of the Sixth Division Branch of the Railway Mail Asso¬ 
ciation, in which he stated that he believed the editor of the Harpoon 
had been of inestimable value to the clerks in their trouble in con¬ 
nection with the 11 slack order” and other things, and was in favor of 
making him the editor of the clerks’ official paper. 

Mr. Erwin was elected by the clerks of that division who are mem¬ 
bers of the association to the presidency of the sixth division branch 
and attended the convention at Syracuse. 

At Syracuse he and his friends, some of whom were on the opposite 
side of the association controversy, solicited an interview with me, 
which I granted, and appealed for the reinstatement of Mr. Erwin to 
the Railway Mail Service. I had an extended talk with him and his 
friends, going over the entire ground of his conduct, and became con¬ 
vinced that Mr. Erwin’s acts were not prompted by desire to place 




70 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

himself in antagonism to the department and its administration, but 
that he had been largely influenced by local sentiment which seemed 
to prevail largely among the clerks of the section in which he was 
engaged and that so far as the editor of the Harpoon was concerned 
he referred to Mr. Walter in his statement as an individual and not 
as an editor of a paper which had misrepresented the service and 
libeled its officers, and, furthermore, that it was not his thought that 
the methods of the Harpoon would be transferred to the official paper 
of the clerks. 

I told Mr. Erwin and his friends that I would consider a written 
statement with reference to his relations to the service and the clerks, 
and that they might prepare and have such sent in to me. I have 
since received the accompanying papers, being a letter from Mr. 
Erwin of June 16, 1911; one addressed Supt. West by Mr. Whitmore, 
clerk in charge of Erwin's line, dated June 16, 1911, and the indorse¬ 
ments of the superintendent and general superintendent of Railway 
Mail Service transmitting the same; letter from Mr. Erwin's former 
chief clerk, Mr. Metlin, dated June 14, 1911, with inclosures; and a 
letter from Supt. West to the general superintendent, dated June 15. 
These papers indicate that Mr. Erwin has been and is held in esteem 
by his immediate superiors. 

I observed Mr. Erwin carefully during the time I was at the con¬ 
vention and conversed with men from his section of the country 
and who were conservatives in the language of the association politics; 
also with the former president, Mr. Canfield, and Vice President 
Schardt, who was elected president, and other members of the execu¬ 
tive committee, most of whom were of the conservative element. 
My observation and their universal verdict was that Mr. Erwin 
conducted himself creditably in all respects, was not guilty of any 
excesses of language or otherwise, and cooperated heartily with the 
element supporting the administration of the department. I was 
assured by all with whom I talked that Mr. Erwin’s reinstatement 
to the Railway Mail Service would have a splendid effect in con¬ 
vincing the clerks that they all have the right to have their cases 
impartially heard and determined by the department, and, further¬ 
more, in producing a better feeling toward the department among 
the clerks in that section. 

I believe that under all the circumstances it would be a proper and 
wise thing to restore Mr. Erwin to the Railway Mail Service, and 
I recommend that it be done. 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 

Approved: 


Postmaster General. 


Omaha, Nebr., May 31, 1912. 

Hon. Wm. Taft, 

Washington, D. C. 

My Dear Sir: It is with the deepest satisfaction I learn that the 
agent who reinstated Mr. Quackenbush, railway mail clerk of the 
first division Railway Mail Association, was none other than your- 




DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 71 

self, as it is generally felt throughout the body of railway mail clerks 
that you would not interest yourself in their behalf. Since you 
have proven this belief unjustifiable, I am taking the liberty of 
writing a letter to you, which I have been sorely tempted to write 
many times the past year. My husband, C. H. Erwin, was reduced 
from a railway mail clerk on the Omaha and Ogden and placed in 
the Omaha post office, at a reduction of $200 in salary. His demo¬ 
tion occurred in April, 1911. He does not know why he was reduced, 
nor has he ever been granted a hearing. President Taft, there has 
been a gross injustice done in this case (through the medium of some 
one’s mistake). Shortly before Mr. Erwin was reduced he was pro¬ 
moted, and his reduction was like a thunderbolt to the Omaha 
branch, for any discontent that had previously existed among the 
men had practically abated, and I am proud to say that Mr. Erwin 
as president of the branch used his influence to prevent any rash 
moves on the part of the clerks at this time, and I am certain that 
there is not a man under .the Omaha branch who would come out 
openly and accuse Mr. Erwin of being anything but loyal to the 
department. 

President Taft, Mr. Erwin was 11 years attaining the position he 
held when reduced, and the injustice of the act has not only been 
extremely humiliating to himself and family, but a financial hard¬ 
ship as well. This affair has been such a mystery and such a worry 
to me the past year that I can no longer refrain from writing to you 
and asking you to please investigate Mr. Erwin’s case, and when 
you do so I feel quite certain that he will be reinstated to his former 
position. President Taft, I could not write this letter to Postmaster 
General Hitchcock. He is an unmarried man and would not under¬ 
stand what the reinstatement of Mr. Erwin means to me and mine. 
This letter is the result of long meditation and absolutely confidential 
Trusting I am not asking anything more than is proper under the 
circumstances, I shall anxiously await some tidings that this letter 
has not been written in vain. With best wishes for your reelection, 
I am, most sincerely, 

Mrs. Chester H. Erwin, 

3909 North Seventeenth Street. 


Omaha, Nebr., June 3, 1912. 

Hon. William H. Taft, President, 

Washington, D. C. 

Dear Mr. President: Mr. Chester H. Erwin, after having served 
for more than 12 years in the Railway Mail Service, was demoted by a 
departmental order about a year ago and assigned to the local post 
office at Omaha for night work duty at a reduction of $200 per year. 

The reason for this demotion was the statement that it was for the 
good of the service. The only reason that Mr. Erwin can imagine for 
this act was his activity in the Railway Mail Association. The local 
officials under whom Mr. Erwin had acted speak very highly of his 
services and there had, prior to the time of the demotion, been no 
criticism of any kind, either upon his conduct or upon the character 
of the service which he had rendered the department. Mr. Erwin 



72 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

has had an application on file for about a year for a reinstatement and 
has had no answer to the application. 

Wish to call your attention to Mr. C. H. Quackenbush, of first rail¬ 
way division, who was dismissed outright about the same time that 
Mr. Erwin was demoted. He has recently been restored to the service 
by an Executive order. 

With this precedent in view, and in view of the fact that Mr. Erwin’s 
services were satisfactory to the department, the citizens of this 
community would like to see Mr. Erwin restored. Personally I feel 
that an injustice has been done to him and that you would be willing 
to take some action as soon as the matter was called to your attention 
personally. 

I hope you will see your way clear to restore Mr. Erwin to his orig¬ 
inal position and salary. 

Yours, very truly, Howard H. Baldrige. 


Post Office Department, 

Washington, June 13 , 1912. 
Memorandum for the Postmaster General: 

Replying to your request for a memorandum concerning the case 
of Chester H. Erwin, who was transferred from the Railway Mail 
Service to the Omaha, Nebr., post office, I have to inform you as 
follows: 

Upon the approval of the Postmaster General of a memorandum 
of April 3, 1911, made to him by the chief inspector, the services 
of Mr. Erwin, a railway postal clerk in the Omaha and Ogden rail¬ 
way post office, at $1,400 per annum, were discontinued and he was 
transferred to the Omaha, Nebr., post office, at $1,200 per annum. 
The memorandum of the chief inspector reads as follows: 

Whereas it appears from reliable information recently forwarded to this office 
by representatives of the department that C. H. Erwin, a railway postal clerk, has 
been perniciously active in endeavoring to foment discontent on the part of his 
fellow employees in the Railway Mail Service, and in so doing has exerted an influence 
detrimental to the best interests of the service and tending to insubordination, I 
have the honor to recommend, for the good of the service, that he be transferred from 
his present position and be assigned to duty as a mailing clerk, at $1,200 per annum, 
in the post office at Omaha, Nebr. 

Later, while attending the convention of the Railway Mail Asso¬ 
ciation at Syracuse, Mr. Erwin, who was a delegate, and his friends 
requested a conference with me, which I accorded, during which 
they went over the facts of the case so far as they were acquainted 
with them and requested the privilege of submitting written state¬ 
ments, which I agreed to. After my return to Washington there 
were transmitted to me through the Railway Mail Service a file of 
letters from Mr. Erwin’s former clerk in charge in the Omaha and 
Ogden railway post office, from Mr. Erwin, from Mr. Mettlen, his 
former chief clerk, Omaha, Nebr., and from Mr. West, his former 
superintendent at Chicago, 111., all favorable to a consideration of 
the application of Mr. Erwin for reinstatement in the Railway Mail 
Service. Upon these papers, and the knowledge obtained in Syra¬ 
cuse, I submitted to you, together with the papers referred to, a 
memorandum of August 28, 1911, recommending his reinstatement. 



DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 73 


A copy of the memorandum is attached hereto. On January 19, 
1912, the papers accompanying the memorandum were returned to 
my office from the office of the chief clerk of the department with 
the statement that they were returned for filing without.action. 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster * General. 


August 7, 1912. 

Mr. A. J. Donahoe, 

2209 North Sixteenth Street, 

Omaha, Nebr. 

Sir: The letter you addressed to Hon. Charles D. Hilles under date 
of the 16th ultimo, regarding the transfer in 1911 of C. P. Rodman 
and other railway postal clerks from the Railway Mail Service to the 
post office at Omaha, has been referred to me for acknowledgment 
and consideration. 


I shall be glad to inquire into the status of the clerks you mention, 
and if there appear just grounds for further action in their cases it 
will be taken. 

Respectfully, Frank H. Hitchcock, 

Postmaster General. 


Post Office Department, 
Washington, August 14, 1912. 
Memorandum for the Postmaster General: 

In response to your request for a memorandum concerning the 
case of Chester H. Erwin, I have to inform you as follows: 

Upon the approval of the Postmaster General of the memorandum 
of April 9, 1911, made by the chief inspector, the services of Mr. 
Erwin, a railway postal clerk in the Omaha and Ogden railway post 
office, at $1,400 per annum, were discontinued and he was trans¬ 
ferred to the Omaha, Nebr., post office at $1,200 per annum. The 
memorandum of the chief inspector reads as follows: 

Whereas it appears from reliable information recently forwarded to this office by 
representatives of the department that C. H. Erwin, a railway postal clerk, has been 
perniciously active in endeavoring to foment discontent on the part of his fellow 
employees in the Railway Mail Service, and in so doing has exerted an influence detri¬ 
mental to the best interests of the service and tending to insubordination. I have the 
honor to recommend, for the good of the service, that he be transferred from his present 
position and be assigned to duty as a mailing clerk at $1,200 per annum in the post 
office at Omaha. Nebr. 

Papers in my files showed that a circular letter issued by Mr. 
Erwin, which purported to be his platform on which he was running 
for president of the sixth division branch of the Railway Mail Asso¬ 
ciation, stated that he believed the editor of the Harpoon had been 
of inestimable value to the clerks in their trouble in connection with 
the slack order and other tilings, and was in favor of making him the 
editor of the clerk’s official paper. 

The character and pernicious influence of the Harpoon lias been 
fully described in memoranda regarding Negley and Hall. There 
were conditions in the Railway Mail Service at that time by reason 
of which summary action was believed necessary in such cases. 




74 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

Later, while attending the convention of the Railway Mail Associa¬ 
tion at Syracuse, Mr. Erwin, who was a delegate, and his friends 
requested a conference with me, which I accorded, during which they 
went over the facts of the case so far as they were acquainted with 
them and requested the privilege of submitting written statements 
which I granted. After my return to Washington there were trans¬ 
mitted to me through the Railway Mail Service a file of letters from 
Mr. Erwin’s former clerk in charge, his former chief clerk, and his 
former superintendent. My views on the case as the result of this 
conference and these representations, were transmitted to you in 
memoranda of August 28, 1911, and July 13, 1912, copies of which 
are attached. 

On March 16, 1912, Representative Lobeck, of Nebraska, requested 
the reinstatement of Mr. Erwin and certain other clerks. Favorable 
action not having been taken in Mr. Erwin’s case, Mr. Lobeck was 
informed that the action taken was deemed to be necessary for the 
good of the service, and the facts such as to preclude consideration of 
their reinstatement. 

This statement is made on memoranda in my office, the files in the 
case having been sent to the office of the Postmaster General with the 
memorandum of June 13, 1912, called for. 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General . 


Post Office Department, 

Washington, August 14, 1912. 
Memorandum for the Postmaster General: 

In response to your request for a memorandum concerning the case 
of William Hall, I have to inform you that on April 1, 1911, a circular 
letter was received which purported to be the platform upon which Mr. 
Hall requested support of his candidacy for president of the Omaha 
branch of the Railway Mail Association and in which he indorsed the 
Harpoon. The copy of the circular letter though originally with the 
papers does not now appear in the file and has not been found. The 
Harpoon was a periodical which was published for circulation princi¬ 
pally among the railway postal clerks and was devoted to flagrantly 
false representations of the facts of the Railway Mail Service, the Post¬ 
master General and other officers of the service, and whose influence 
upon the personnel of the service tended to insubordination and dis¬ 
loyalty. There were conditions in the Railway Mail Service at that 
time by reason of which summary action was believed necessary in 
such cases. 

Subsequently Mr. Hall admitted that he was responsible for the 
preparation and distribution of this circular. The General Superin¬ 
tendent of Railway Mail Service recommended that he be reduced one 
grade and transferred to a post office. On July 10, 1911, the following 
memorandum was prepared by the Second Assistant Postmaster 
General and approved by the Postmaster General July 13, 1911: 

It appears that Railway Postal Clerk William Hall, of the Omaha and Chadron rail¬ 
way post office, has been active in formenting unwarranted discontent on the part of 
his fellow employees in the Railway Mail Service and in exerting an influence detri¬ 
mental to the best interests of the service, tending to insubordination. I therefore 
have the honor to recommend that he be transferred to the Omaha (Nebr.) post 
office, or some near-by post office, with reduction in salary. 



DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 75 


On July 28, 1911, an order was issued discontinuing the service of 
Mr. Hall as a railway postal clerk at $1,500 per annum, and he was 
transferred to the Omaha (Nebr.) post office at $1,200 per annum. On 
August 4, 1911, Mr. Hall requested a restoration to the Railway Mail 
Service, and he was advised by the General Superintendent that it 
would be impracticable to give favorable consideration to his request 
in view of the circumstances surrounding his transfer to the Omaha 
post office. 

Under date of March 16, 1912, Representative Lobeck, of Nebraska, 
called at this office and also addressed a communication to the Post¬ 
master General with reference to the reduction of Mr. Hal] and certain 
other clerks. Mr. Lobeck was informed in a letter of the same date 
that the action taken was deemed to be necessary for the good of the 
service and the facts were such as to preclude consideration of their 
reinstatement. 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


Post Office Department, 
Washington , August 14 , 1912. 
Memorandum for the Postmaster General: 

Replying to your request for a memorandum concerning the case of 
Charles P. Rodman, who was transferred from the Railway Mail 
Service to the Omaha, Nebr., post office, I have to inform you as 
follows: 

Upon the approval of the Postmaster General of the memorandum 
of April 3, 1911, made him by the chief inspector, the services of Mr. 
Rodman as a railway postal clerk in the Omaha and Ogden railway 
post office, at $1,400 per annum, were discontinued, and he was trans¬ 
ferred to the Omaha, Nebr., post office at $1,200 per annum. The 
memorandum of the chief inspector reads as follows: 

Whereas it appears from reliable information recently forwarded to this office by 
representatives of the department that C. P. Rodman, a clerk on the Omaha and Ogden 
railway post office, has been perniciously active in endeavoring to foment discontent 
on the part of his fellow employees in the Railway Mail Service, and in so doing has 
exerted an influence detrimental to the best interests of the service and tending to 
insubordination, I have the honor to recommend that, for the good of the service, he be 
transferred from his present position and be assigned to duty as a mailing clerk in the 
Lincoln, Nebr., post office at $1,200 per annum. 

At that time there were conditions in the Railway Mail Service by 
reason of which summary action was believed necessary in such cases. 

On July 20, 1911, Mr. Rodman requested restoration to the Railway 
Mail Service, and on November 13, 1911, he was informed by the 
Second Assistant Postmaster General that the facts were such that he 
could not recommend his reinstatement. On March 16, 1912, Rep¬ 
resentative Lobeck, of Nebraska, requested the reinstatement of Mr. 
Rodman, and he was informed that the action taken was deemed to be 
necessary for the good of the service and the facts such as to preclude 
consideration of his reinstatement. 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General . 



76 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


Post Office Department, 

Washington, August 14,1912. 
Memorandum for the Postmaster General: 

In response to your request for a memorandum concerning the case 
of John I. Negley, I have to inform you that on April 1, 1911, a 
circular letter was received which purported to be the platform upon 
which Mr. Negley requested support of his candidacy for president of 
the Omaha branch of the Railway Mail Association. In the letter 
he requested the support of the clerks upon the following plan for 
action: 

By hearty support of the Harpoon. I favored making Mr. Walter national editor, 
but he has absolutely declined, and both he and the Omaha branch have approved 
my plan of requesting all meetings and conventions to indorse the Harpoon and 
declare Mr. Walter our honorary representative. This would place him in a powerful 
position before the public. 

The Harpoon was a periodical which was published for circulation 
principally among the railway postal clerks and was devoted to 
flagrantly false representations of the facts of the Railway Mail 
Service, the Postmaster General and other officers of the service, and 
whose influence upon the personnel of the service tended to insubor¬ 
dination and disloyalty. There were conditions in the Railway Mail 
Service at that time by reason of which summary action was believed 
necessary in such cases.' 

Subsequently Mr. Negley admitted that he was responsible for the 
preparation and distribution of this circular. The General Superin¬ 
tendent of Railway Mail Service recommended that he be reduced 
one grade and transferred to a post office. On July 10, 1911, the 
following memorandum was prepared by the Second Assistant Post¬ 
master General and approved by the Postmaster General July 13, 
1911: 

It appears that Railway Postal Clerk J. I. Negley,- of the Omaha and Ogden railway 
post office, has been active in fomenting unwarranted discontent on the part of his 
fellow employees in the Railway Mail Service and in exerting an influence detrimental 
to the best interests of the service, tending to insubordination. I therefore have the 
honor to recommend that he be transferred to the Omaha, Nebr., post office, or some 
near-by post office, with reduction in salary. 

On July 31, 1911, an order was issued discontinuing the service of 
Mr. Negley as a railway postal clerk at $1,300 per annum and he was 
transferred to the Omaha, Nebr., post office at $1,100 per annum. 
Under date of March 16, 1912, Representative Lobeck, of Nebraska, 
called at this office and also addressed a communication to the Post¬ 
master General with reference to the reduction of Mr. Negley and 
certain other clerks. Mr. Lobeck was informed in a letter of the 
same date that the action taken was deemed to be necessary for the 
good of the service and the facts were such as to preclude considera¬ 
tion of their reinstatement. 

Joseph Stewart, 

Second Assistant Postmaster General. 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 77 

Post Office Department, 

Office of the Chief Inspector, 

Washington, August 28, 1912. 
Memorandum for Hon. Frank H. Hitchcock, Postmaster General: 

I am returning herewith memorandums made to you by the Second 
Assistant Postmaster General under date of August 14 wherein he 
recommends the reinstatement in the railway mail service of former 
clerk Chester H. Erwin and submits to you, without recommendation 
for reinstatement, information regarding the conduct of former clerks 
Charles P. Hodman, John I. Negley, and William Hall. This office 
has no information as to the reasons for the removal of William Hall 
other than that given in the memorandum of the Second Assistant 
Postmaster General to the effect that this clerk was removed because 
of the issuance of a circular letter by him requesting support for some 
office in a postal clerks’ organization, and on the ground that he 
indorsed the Harpoon, a periodical published for circulation princi¬ 
pally among railway postal clerks which, as the Second Assistant 
Postmaster General states, “was devoted to flagrantly false repre¬ 
sentations of the facts of the Railway Mail Service.” This office does, 
however, possess facts and information furnished in confidential 
reports of inspectors beyond that which is furnished you by the Second 
Assistant Postmaster General in the cases of Charles P. Rodman and 
John I. Negley, but as the Second Assistant Postmaster General does 
not recommend their reinstatement in the service the detailed facts 
will not be submitted in these two cases unless you so desire. My 
purpose in making this statement is to exemplify the fact that no 
recommendation is made to you by the Second Assistant Postmaster 
General for the reinstatement of Messrs. Rodman, Negley, aiid Hall, 
but he does submit a strong recommendation for the reinstatement of 
Chester H. Erwin, notwithstanding the fact that, according to the 
Second Assistant Postmaster General’s own admission, this clerk was 
guilty of precisely the same conduct as the other three clerks men¬ 
tioned. 

For your information I wish to state that this office possesses infor¬ 
mation additional to that set forth by the Second Assistant Postmas¬ 
ter General in his recommendation for the reinstatement of Chester 
H. Erwin. A confidential report of Inspector Randall dated March 
8, 1911, shows the insubordinate state of mind of postal clerks in 
Omaha, Nebr., at a meeting held by them in the office of Chief Clerk 
Butler, at which time a resolution was passed indorsing the Har¬ 
poon. It appears from this inspector’s report that a Mr. Schardt, 
an official of the National Association of Railway Postal Clerks, after 
visiting departmental officials, addressed a meeting of clerks at Omaha. 
This address was of a conciliatory and pacific character, which 
appeared to be objectionable to Chester H. Erwin, who, according to 
the inspector’s report, introduced a question as to who was paying 
the expenses of the speakers, the inference being that the department 
was doing so. It appears that subsequently a telegram was read to 
an association of these clerks in which Mr. Schardt denied that his 
expenses were paid by the department. 

Inspector Randall also reports that Erwin was the head of the 
Omaha branch and the chief agitator in that vicinity, while his 
brother, R. E. Erwin, belonged to the Lincoln branch, and that Chief 


78 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


Clerk Butler attributed much of the responsibility for the agitation 
at Lincoln to the former. I mention these facts relative to Chester 
H. Erwin because of the statement appearing in the memorandum of 
the Second Assistant Postmaster General to you under date of 
August 14, 1912, reading as follows: 

Later, while attending the convention of the Railway Mail Association at Syracuse, 
Mr. Erwin, who was a delegate, and his friends requested a conference with me which 
I accorded, during which they went over the facts of the case so far as they were 
acquainted with them and requested the privilege of submitting written statements, 
which I granted. After my return to Washington there were transmitted to me 
through the Railway Mail Service a file of letters from Mr. Erwin’s former clerk in 
charge, his former chief clerk, and his former superintendent. 

I call your attention to the fact, however, that in this memorandum 
of August 14 the Second Assistant Postmaster General does not rec¬ 
ommend the reinstatement of Mr. Erwin, but refers you to memo¬ 
randums made by him under dates of August 28, 1911, and June 13, 
1912. I shall quote you from his memorandum of August 28, 1911, 
as follows, which, by the way, was made shortly after his return to 
the department after having delivered a speech to the Railway Mail 
Association at Syracuse: 

At Syracuse he (Erwin) and his friends, some of whom were on the opposite side of 
the association controversy, solicited an interview with me, which I granted, and 
appealed for the reinstatement of Mr. Erwin to the Railway Mail Service. I had an 
extended talk with him and his friends, going over the entire ground of his conduct, 
and became convinced that Mr. Erwin’s acts were not prompted by desire to place 
himself in antagonism to the department and its administration but that he had been 
largely influenced by local sentiment which seemed to prevail largely among the 
clerks of the section in which he was engaged. * * * I observed Mr. Erwin care¬ 
fully during the time I was at the convention and conversed with men from his section 
of the country and who were conservatives in the language of the association politics; 
also with the former president, Mr. Canfield, and Vice President Schardt, who was 
elected president, and other members of the executive committee, most of whom were 
of a conservative element. * * * My observation and their universal verdict was 
that Mr. Erwin conducted himself creditably in all respects, was not guilty of any 
excesses of language or otherwise, and cooperated heartily with the element supporting 
the administration of the department. 

The Second Assistant Postmaster General further states that he 
was assured by all with whom he talked that: 

The reinstatement of Mr. Erwin would have a splendid effect in convincing the 
clerks that they all have the right to have their cases impartially heard and determined 
by the department, and, furthermore, in producing a better feeling toward the depart¬ 
ment among the clerks in that section. 

I desire to call your attention to these lengthy quotations from the 
Second Assistant Postmaster General’s memorandum and to ask that 
you consider them in connection with Mr. Erwin’s conduct in asking 
the insulting question as to who paid Mr. Schardt’s expenses at the 
time he made the speech to the postal clerks at Omaha. It must be 
borne in mind that at that time Mr. Schardt was a candidate for 
election as president of the association and was trying to obtain the 
support of the clerks present at the meeting, and it appears that at 
that particular time Mr. Erwin was the leading spirit against this 
candidacy and went to the extent of questioning the motives of Mr. 
Schardt, causing the latter to send a telegram of denial that his 
expenses were paid by the department. If this is so, I can not recon¬ 
cile the conclusion reached by the Second Assistant Postmaster Gen¬ 
eral in his memorandum of August 28, 1911, with reference to this 
clerk having been largely influenced by local sentiment which seemed 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 79 

to prevail. It is perfectly apparent to my mind that this clerk was 
engaged in creating this sentiment, and as evidence of that fact Mr. 
Schardt’s telegram denying the insinuation which Erwin made may 
prove interesting testimony. It appears, however, that when the 
meeting at Syracuse took place, Mr. Erwin, having been elected 
president of his association with a large number of delegates support¬ 
ing him, and having been reduced and transferred for his insub¬ 
ordination and desiring to be reinstated in the Railway Mail Service— 
just the position in which Mr. Quackenbush of the first division found 
himself at the time he became insubordinate—did precisely what Mr. 
Quackenbush had done, made a deal of some kind connected witli the 
politics of the Railway Mail Association in return for his support of 
Schardt’s candidacy, thereby obtaining the influence of Schardt and 
his friends to work upon the sympathy of the Second Assistant Post¬ 
master General with a view to securing the retransfer of Mr. Erwin 
to the Railway Mail Service. In other words, I am convinced that 
the language used by me in the Quackenbush case would apply equally 
as well in this case. To reinstate this man in the Railway Mail Ser¬ 
vice would seal a deal which, in my opinion, exists between Erwin and 
the organization of the Railway Mail Association, as at present con¬ 
stituted, and I recommend that you do not become a party thereto, 
either directly or indirectly, by restoring him to the Railway Mail 
Service. My opinion is that, to avoid discontent in the service, a 
premium should not be placed on disloj^alty. 

The reasoning of the Second Assistant Postmaster General in the 
Erwin case does not appear to be just when considered in connection 
with his memorandums in the Rodman, Negley, and Hall cases, in 
which the acts of insubordination are not so bad, in my opinion, as 
in the Erwin case. 

Mr. Erwin was very kindly treated by you in view of his conduct. 
In my opinion, it would not have been harsh to have dismissed him 
from the service. He was, however, transferred to a $1,200 clerkship 
in the Omaha, Nebr., post office. 

On March 11, 1911, I submitted to you a lengthy memorandum 
covering conditions in the Railway Mail Service in which I mentioned 
the Erwin case, and in closing that memorandum I used the following 
language: 

I do recommend, however, that in such cases where the information mentioned 
above is corroborated by the open investigation which the Railway Mail Service 
officials have no doubt made through their chief clerks, the offending postal clerks will 
be transferred to a branch of the postal service other than that of the Railway Mail 
Service, with a reduction in salary. Such transfers should be made preferably to 
positions as mailing clerks in post offices, in my opinion, and I further recommend that 
this action be taken gradually in different sections of the country. 

On April 9, 1911, Erwin was transferred to the Omaha post office, 
and the memorandums submitted by the Second Assistant Postmaster 
General indicate that he obtained additional information regarding 
the misconduct of this clerk, upon which he frankly states in his 
memorandum of August 28, 1911, that, so far as the papers in his files 
are concerned, his judgment in making the reduction of Erwin was 
based upon a circular letter issued by Mr. Erwin purporting to be his 
platform upon which he was running for the office of the president of 
the sixth division branch of the Railway Mail Association, in which 


80 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 

he (Erwin) stated that he believed the editor of the “Harpoon” had 
been of inestimable value to the clerks in their trouble, etc. 

It is apparent, therefore, that the Second Assistant Postmaster 
General was thoroughly convinced of the disloyalty of this clerk, and 
perfectly obvious to me, that his reasons for desiring to reinstate 
Erwin alone and not recommending the reinstatement of the other 
three clerks who did precisely the same from the standpoint of the 
Second Assistant Postmaster General, are due solely to Railway Mail 
Association politics, with which I do not feel the department should 
have the slightest concern. 

R. S. Sharp, 

Chief In spector . 


o 


62d Congress, ) 

SENATE. 


(Doc. 1130, 

3d Session. f 



| Part 2. 


DEMOTION OF CLERKS TN THE RAILWAY MAIL 

SERVICE. 


LETTER 

FROM 

THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, 

TRANSMITTING, 

IN RESPONSE TO SENATE RESOLUTION OE DECEMBER 4, 1912, 
INFORMATION RELATING TO THE DEMOTION OF CERTAIN 
CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


March 3, 1913.—Referred to tbe Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads and 

ordered to be printed. 


[Memorandum.] 

Host Office Department. 

Office of the Chief Clerk, 

W ashing ton, March 6 , 1913. 

These two lists should have accompanied the Postmaster General’s 
letters of March 1 and 3 to the President of the Senate, transmitting 
papers relative to Postal Clerks William Hall, C. PI. Erwin, J. J. 
Neglev, and C. P. Rodman in response to Senate resolution 400 of 
December 4, 1912. 


List of Papers in Connection with the Cases of William IIall, C. H. 

Erwin, J. J. Neglev. and C. P. Rodman, Clerks in the Railway Mail 

Service During the Years 1911 and 1912. 

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INSPECTOR. 

1. February 3, 1911. Telegram from Inspector in Charge Johnston regarding 
meeting of clerks at Omaha January 26. 

2. February 7. 1911. Telegram from Inspector in Charge Johnston regarding 
meeting at Omaha and secret organization there. 

3. February 7. 1911. Memorandum of the chief inspector addressed to tbe 
Postmaster General, submitting report of Inspectors Brauer and Lindland of 
February 3, relative to the discontent and alleged formation of secret organiza¬ 
tions among railway postal clerks at Omaha; clipping attached from Omaha 
Daily News of January 25. 1911 : and resolutions of rilway mail clerks adopted 
at meeting held in Omaha January 26. 







2 DEMOTION OF CLERKS IN THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


4. .February S, 1911. Report of Inspectors Brauer and Lind land setting forth 
result of investigations February 2 to 7, relative to discontent existing among 
railway postal clerks at Omaha. 

5. February 10. 1911. Copy of a letter to Inspector in Charge Johnston 
acknowledging receipt of above-mentioned report and directing that the investi¬ 
gations be continued. 

0. February 1G, 1911. Report of Inspector Brauer regarding the "ring¬ 
leaders” in the organization at Omaha. 

7. March 8, 1911. Report of Inspector II. E. Randall regarding the meeting 
of the Lincoln Branch of March 7. 

S. March 11, 1911. Copy of memorandum of chief inspector addressed to the 
Postmaster General, reviewing the secret organizations in the postal service. 
On page 9 of this memorandum the organization at Omaha is discussed. 

9. April 3, 1911. Copies of three memorandums of the chief inspector to the 
Postmaster General, recommending that Erwin, Rodman, and Neglev be trans¬ 
ferred to clerkships in certain post offices. 

10. June 8, 1912. Letter from Senator G. M. Hitchcock, inquiring whether 
these railway postal clerks can be given a “ reasonable hearing” at this time. 

11. June 10, 1912. Copy of a letter of the chief inspector to Senator Hitchcock, 
advising that the question of the reinstatement or restoration to previous grades 
of railway postal clerks comes under the Second Assistant Postmaster General. 

12. June 10, 1912. Original memorandum of chief inspector to Postmaster 
General, submitting the communication from Senator Hitchcock. 

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE SECOND ASSISTANT POSTMASTER GENERAL. 

13. April 10, 1911. Jacket order No. IT. 6404, containing papers relative to 
discontinuing the pay and services of Robert E. Erwin. 

14. April 10, 1911. Jacket order No. II. G407, containing papers relative to 
discontinuing the pay and services of Ches er H. Erwin. 

15. April .10, 1911. Jacket order No. II. G40G, containing papers relative to 
discontinuing the pay and services of Charles P. Rodman. 

16. April 18, 1911. Memorandum of General Supt. Ingalls to the Second 
Assistant Postmaster General, with ilie attached correspondence relative to the 
platform and candidacy of C. H. Erwin for presidency of the local branch of 
Ilie railway mail division. 

17. June 1. 1911. The reply of the Second Assistant Postmaster General to 
the letter of Senator Norris Brown, dated May 29, 1911, with which were trans¬ 
mitted letters in behalf of the reinstatement of the Erwin brothers. 

18. June 22. 1911. General Supt. Ingalls returns to the Second Assistan Post¬ 
master General letters from clerks Whitmore, Mettlen, and Erwin, addressed 
to Supt. West, together with a memorandum dated June 15, 1911, from E. L. 
West, superintendent of the sixth division. 

19. July 28, 1911. Jacket order No. J. 6484, containing papers relative to 
discontinuing the pay and services of W. Hall. 

20. July 31, 1911. Jacke order No. .T. 6592, containing papers relative to dis¬ 
continuing the pay and services of John I. Negley. 

21. February 17, 1912. Letter of the Second Assistant Postmaster General to 
C. H. Erwin, relative to reinstatement to his former position in the Railway 
Mail Service. 

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL. , 

22. April 27, 1911. Replies of the acting chief clerk of the Post Office Depart¬ 
ment to the joint letter, dated April 24, 1911. from Senators Brown and Hitch¬ 
cock, inquiring the reason for the dismissal of the Erwin brothers. 

23. August 28, 1911. Memorandum of Second Assistant Postmaster General 
Stewart to the Postmaster General, recommending the restoration of C. H. 
Erwin to the Railway Mail Service. 

24. May 31, 1912. Letter of Mrs. C. H. Erwin, addressed to President Taft, 
relative to reinstatement of her husband. 

25. June 3, 1912. Letter from Howard H. Baldrige in behalf of the reinstate¬ 
ment of C. H. Erwin to his former position in the Railway Mail Service. 

26. June 13, 1912. Memorandum of Second Assistant Postmaster General 
Stewart to the Postmaster General, with further reference to the reinstatement 
of C. H. Erwin. 


D. OF D. 
MAR 15 1913 




** K> N i> 

DEMOTION OF 


CLERKS IN 


THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. 


3 


-<• August 7, 1912. Reply of tlie Postmaster General to the letter of A. J. 
Donahoe of August 7, 1912, addressed to Secretary Hilles, regarding the trans¬ 
fer of C. P. Rodman to the post office at Omaha. 

28. August 14, 1912. Four memordandums from Second Assistant Postmaster 
General Stewart to the Postmaster General in the cases of C. H. Erwin, William 
Hall, Charles P. Rodman, and John I. Negley. 

29. August 28, 1912. Memorandum of Chief Inspector Sharp to the Postmaster 
General opposing the recommendations made by the Second Assistant Postmaster 
General in the four memorandums above mentioned. 

List of Papers in Connection With the Cases of William Hall, C. H. 

Erwin, R. E. Erwin, J. J. Negley, and C. P. Rodman, Clerks in the Rail¬ 
way Mail Service, During the Years 1911 and 1912. 

SUPPLEMENTARY LIST FROM THE OFFICE OF THE SECOND ASSISTANT POSTMASTER 

GENERAL. 

30. February 27, 1911. Carbon copy of C. H. Erwin’s platform. 

31. Confidential memorandum from Chief Clerk Mettlen to Superintendent 
Railway Mail Service, sixth division, relative to the candidacy of C. H. Erwin 
for presidency of the sixth division, Railway Mail Association. Carbon copy 
of letter from the Acting Superintendent Railway Mail Service to Chief Clerk 
Mettlen, relative to the reassignment of C. H. Erwin. 

32. April 15, 1911. Letter of Chief Clerk Mettlen to Supt. West transmitting 
a copy of Mettlen’s letter of April 15, 1911, to Clerk Erwin, relative to his trans¬ 
fer to the Omaha post office. 

33. April 26, 1911. Gen. Supt. Ingalls refers papers to the superintendent sixth 
division, relative to the reassignment of C. H. Erwin, R. E. Erwin, and C. P. 
Rodman. 

34. June 15, 1911. Carbon copy of letter of the Superintendent Railway Mail 
Service to the general superintendent at Washington, relative to the interviews 
of J. A. Warren with Second Asst. Postmaster General Stewart at the Syracuse 
convention concerning Clerk Erwin. 

35. October 17, 1911. Reply of the Second Assistant Postmaster General to 
the letter of G. W. Norris, dated October 2, 1911, relative to the case of C. H. 
Erwin. 

36. March 16, 1912. Reply of the Second Assistant Postmaster General to the 
letter of Hon. C. O. Lobeck, dated March 16, 1912, relative to the cases of 
Clerks Rodman, Negley, Hall, and the two Erwin brothers. 

37. June 6, 1912. Memorandum from the General Superintendent Railway 
Mail Service to the Second Assistant Postmaster General, relative to the letter 
of Mr. H. H. Baldrige in behalf of the reinstatement of C. H. Erwin. 

38. August 19, 1912. Reply of the Second Assistant Postmaster General to the 
application of C. H. Erwin for reinstatement to his former position. 

39. October 4. 1912. Letter of C. II. Erwin to Supt. West, requesting to be 
informed whether there was anything on record reflecting on his character. 

40. October 9, 1912. Letter from Supt. Stice to the general superintendent at 
Washington, /requesting information before acting on the reinstatement of C. H. 
Erwin. 

41. October 30, 1912. Reply of the Second Assistant Postmaster General to the 
application of C. H. Erwin, dated October 4, 1912, to be reinstated to his former 
position. 

42. January 3, 1913. Reply of the Second Assistant Postmaster General to 
the letter of C. H. Erwin, dated November 11, 1912, applying for reinstatement. 

43. January 27, 1913. Reply of the Second Assistant Postmaster General to 
the letter of C. H. Erwin, dated January 11, 1913, amending his application for 
reinstatement as postal clerk. 

44. January 31, 1913. Reply of the Second Assistant Postmaster General to 
Senator Hitchcock’s letter of January 21, 1913, transmitting the new applica¬ 
tion of C. H. Erwin .for reinstatement as postal clerk. 


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